There are days when prayer feels heavy and nearly impossible to enjoy. In fact, there are days when it feels like everything within me rebels against the opportunity. Prayer is where we communicate with our Maker, friend, and Savior. It’s where gratitude, frustration, excitement, and disappointment all mingle in a mixed bag of emotions.
Thankfully, those emotions don’t have to overpower our ability to communicate with the Father. Through the book of Psalms, we find that praise is a form of prayer. And the good news is we don’t have to feel good to meditate on God’s goodness.
God knew there would be days we would struggle to pray, as did the psalmist in Psalm 146. That is why praise is such a powerful tool to use in prayer. It helps us take our eyes off our situations and redirect them to the Lord’s sovereignty.
I distinctly remember the day I learned the power of praise. I prepared to leave the gym feeling disappointed that my time spent exercising had done nothing to boost my mood. While packing my bag, my eyes gravitated to a woman with the most glorious curls. To my chagrin, she looked. Embarrassed that I had been caught staring, I raised my voice over the roar of the machines to compliment her hair.
My day improved almost immediately. But more importantly, my attention shifted away from everything wrong to the few beautiful things remaining.
If a simple compliment can produce such profound results, how much more can it do for us when we offer those compliments to our Creator? Prayer can often feel unbearable when we’re overburdened with negative emotions. However, it is possible to push through when we redirect our attention to the reality that God is faithful. Praise renews our perspective.
In Psalm 146, the psalmist captures the importance of praise by encouraging everyone to praise the Lord while commanding his soul to do the same. The more we read, the more we realize our ability to communicate about how good God is is not contingent upon our circumstances. The psalmist shares that people will disappoint us in their humanity (Psalm 146:3–4). Yet he contrasts people’s limitations with the limitless One by reminding us that our hope lies in the eternal God, who is as consistent on the good days as the bad.
Praise reinforces our revelation of God as we remember that His reign will last forever.
It also reminds us that praise is not always a result of our present circumstances. Praise is produced in the presence of the Almighty. And the good news is it is available to anyone who will elevate His name above their emotions. Psalm 146 teaches us that the more we praise, the more we recognize God’s power amid our pain. And sometimes, it is all the prayer we need.
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43 thoughts on "A Prayer for Hope"
My children have headed off to school after the summer break. The madness and noise have quietened down and as I read this passage I appreciate how blessed our family is. I can refocus now on this quiet rainy day on our creator and the one who sustains and watches over us all!
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He is the same today, tomorrow, and yesterday. He is merciful and gracious. Loving, Kind, and gentle. I put my hope and trust in you Lord. On the good days and the bad and all those in between.
-Praise the Lord
-Put not your trust in man
-The Lord is credible and worthy!
-The Lord helps us in all these ways!
-The Lord is above all!
My quick summary of the stanzas. I hope to remember to start with praise of Jesus My King, remember that the gospel of man fails, but the gospel of Christ is powerful, loving, and sure. Mostly praising Jesus isn’t just hiring Jesus to save me. It’s about knowing the one who is Lord over all. Who is worthy of all praise. This psalm redirects us to not just look up from ourselves but to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and see his invitation to be with us. We will be blessed in learning that with more than fleeting relief of our woes.
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There is a spiritual maturity that grows in understanding that God is still God and will continue to be God in spite of our circumstances.
As someone who is still searching for a church home for the first time in her adult life and recently moved away from her home state … what I’m encouraged by is that, “people will disappoint us in their humanity”. This really encouraged me, haha. Understanding this and having the hope that God is not limited to what I see or understand now.
God could use anyone to advance His will and fulfill his promises despite their humanity.
Despite even mine.
I’m encouraged today to keep having hope in God, a hope that can never be put to shame that I will find a church home.
God bless.
I went to a woman’s night at my church last night. It was so amazing. It really helped me to get my passion and attention back onto the Lord. I felt closer to him than I have in a while. I wish I could remain on that mountaintop, but I know that life isn’t always loved on that mountaintop. It is lived in the valley too. I pray that I would apply the lessons that I tee learned last night in my everyday life.
@MICHELLE PATIRE thank you for your words of encouragement. ❤️ I pray we can all find our true security in Jesus.
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“And the good news is it is available to anyone who will elevate His name above their emotions.” Amen. Emotions are crazy wild horses that need to be tamed. Thank you RACHEL FROM TEXAS for reposting the note you wrote down. Also, this verse got my attention today, “The Lord sets the prisoners free, the Lord opens the eyes of the blind”. Have I been blind to His goodness? Am I in the prison of my own emotions? Father Lord God, give us grace to praise Your Name above our emotions, above the deep waters. Let us PRAISE our way out.
@LAURA: ❤️
@LAUREN GW: prayers for your husband’s healing from PTSD, so sorry, and prayers for your children and you as you endure and support him.
@JENNIFER ANAPOL: loved what you shared yesterday
@MICHELLE PATIRE: that is my mother’s birthday as well ❤️
@TRACI: you made me laugh.
@CHERRIE BREWER: ❤️
@ELIZABETH LITWILLER: complete healing your friend with ALS
@GWINETH52: ❤️ praying over you, “May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!” (Psalm 20:4 esv). Hope your day goes well.
@JEN B: prayers for your job to start smoothly and successfully.
@HEIDI: thinking of Kin and her school drop offs, prayers for you and Ryan ❤️. Hugs.
Lifting you all dear she’s and your sweet families. May God preserve you in good health, cheery spirit, strength and grace to overcome.
Be blessed dear sisters.
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I love how this passage just keeps pointing us to the Lord. It’s that simple. The Lord. I have this problem…The Lord. I have this concern…The Lord. I’ve been wondering about…The Lord. When we keep pointing our attention to the Lord, all else fades away, or become clearer, or we realize things just aren’t that important. As the old hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”. Oh, Father, that I would just keep my focus on You!!
Happy is the one whose help is God and whose hope is in the Lord God
CHERRIE BREWER-saw your post last night ❤️
JEN B- congrats on your first day at your new work
Praying for all of those affected by the hurricane and the aftermath
I’m back home and playing catch up. I tried to study on our trip, but too many people around and I’m easily distracted. Bad excuse…
Can I just say, I just love when you all make song suggestions! Sometimes I want to high-five you cause I, too, rely on some of the suggestions as my go-tos, and sometimes I am quickly jotting down new stuff to add to my growing “worship” mix that I love in the background while I am homemaking or homeschooling. I’m worshipping along with you all today as we go out in the day the LORD has made!
@JENNIFER ANAPOL- your post yesterday is so relevant to today’s psalm and what I’ve been thinking about a lot since yesterday. I was talking to a friend who was raised Christian but kind of in a lot of new age beliefs- we were talking about how we can’t find security in anything outside ourselves. Money, a job, a relationship. She was saying she had to find security within, but of course, my thought was Jesus alone gives us security. But as I read this Psalm today, I was thinking, “This season of struggling with money has given me such a clear picture that God alone provides it. Will I forget that it is God when I have more financial security?” Truly, nothing is secure. Only Jesus. Just wanted to build upon what you said yesterday!!
@Kathy– love your song suggestion <3 that is a good one!!
@Lauren GW- praying God intervenes and helps your husband with his PTSD. May he find ways to find peace in his heart and ways to cope when emotions are hard to manage. Jesus, please be near this family and bring them healing!! That breaks my heart. God bless you and keep you in perfect peace. <3
Love all you Shes. @Rhonda J, if that comment was for me yesterday I appreciate it haha (read my comment below). You are the best.
Praise and gratitude are the keys to a healthy life – spiritually, physically, and mentally.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.16-18.NLT
@Rhonda J- lol was your post yesterday directed towards me??? My birthday is November 13. I meant to type I turn 31 this year, hahah!!! I haven’t read the devo yet. Late start to my morning … But wanted to post in response beforehand! LOL
@CHERRIE BREWER- we see you!!!! I hardly see the posts from the SRT Mobile app on the phone. So if you’re posting from there, it could be that they’re not posting on the website. But I have seen your name here in the past!
“The more we read, the more we realize our ability to communicate about how good God is is not contingent upon our circumstances.” I need to memorize this statement!!!
SEARCHING – ❤
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – I hear you! A few studies ago I voiced the same thing about my prayer life. It has improved a little but I am not satisfied get! Oh to praise Him more!
MOLLY R – well said!
LAURA – Perfect example! Thank you for sharing such a personal experience.
RACHEL FROM TEXAS- Happy to hear about the biopsy! I went through the multiple over the months routine a couple of years ago and just kept reminding myself that they didn’t think it was serious and that God would protect me either way. That’s the only way I could deal with it! Praying for patience for you and trust in the waiting.
Praying for all those impacted by Hurricane Idalia and its aftermath.
Good Morning My She’s and Friends!
It’s a chilly morning in Illinois, we are not used to 60’s living in SWF.
I love today’s words in the devotion-
“It also reminds us that praise is not always a result of our present circumstances. Praise is produced in the presence of the Almighty. And the good news is it is available to anyone who will elevate His name above their emotions. Psalm 146 teaches us that the more we praise, the more we recognize God’s power amid our pain.” Each week as I go to Jail Ministry we sing a couple of songs. It is such a emotional time as some sing, some cry. But the last month or so we have been playing “Praise” by Elevation Worship (it is a fast, up-beat tempo that gets you clapping and praising) and we all are up on our feet and singing along!! It is joyous amidst their circumstances!
I’ll praise in the valley
Praise on the mountain
I’ll praise when I’m sure
Praise when I’m doubting
I’ll praise when outnumbered
Praise when surrounded
Cause praise is the waters
My enemies drown in
As long as I’m breathing
I’ve got a reason to
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
There’s something with music that always has my singing and praising the Lord all day long! The Christian radio station got turned on during my hard trial of a divorce 20 something years ago, and it has never been turned off! It turns your eyes and soul to our Savior through every moment of your day in the house and in the car! And bonus- your kids and husband start picking up and singing without even realizing it!! Have a good day all!
This was such a good reminder for me to PRAISE in the midst of waiting, in the midst of the desert. Right now I am trusting my husband for a future decision that is facing our family. It is rattling me, because I don’t see much movement and I am not convinced he is going in the right direction. I have had to really turn it over to the Lord and surrender my trust to the Lord. I feel like I have to do it daily (hourly!) right now. This was a good reminder to praise God for all that He has done, can do, will do. He is able to do all of the amazing things stated in this Psalm, so he can take care of me too. Praise the Lord, all my soul!
“Psalm 146 teaches us that the more we praise, the more we recognize God’s power amid our pain. And sometimes, it is all the prayer we need.” I could not agree with this more! I have so often found it true in my own life. When we stop amidst our trials & difficult circumstances to praise God, it can immediately refocus us off our difficulties & on to our loving, gracious, Heavenly Father! So many of the Psalms too, are are a sweet balm to the soul.
Have a blessed Wednesday!
GWINETH52 – This whole devotional today reminded me of your second comment yesterday where you naturally took Psalm 146 captive and began to praise God amidst your circumstances, and claim in His sovereignty and worthiness in all moods, all emotions, all hardships, and all provision. I just felt joy for you after reading this today – joy that in God’s faithfulness He reminded you of this very thing we are all drawn into being reminded of before you even got here today.
Your testimony was a further reminder of the goodness of God, and the faithfulness of our Father who loves nothing more than to lift up our eyes, our hearts, and our countenance back to where it belongs: praising God in all things!
Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!
I hope you continue to feel the presence and peace of God in your day, and His strong, yet gentle pull on your heart back to Him and His unfailing Word! Thank you for your vulnerability in lamenting, and even more for claiming God’s victory despite it!
Amen
I love how this psalm starts out with praise, then encourages us NOT to put our faith or trust in man, but to place and keep our faith & trust with God, who is FOREVER FAITHFUL!!! Man’s plans die with him, but God’s plans go on into eternity!!! Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!!! Such a GREAT reminder!!! Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness, Your protection, Your healing, Your deliverance, Your justice, thank You for Your unrelenting pursuit of us, and for frustrating the plans of the enemy and the wicked. You WIN God!!! Help us to walk humbly and confidently in Your victory! Let us dwell with You in the heavenlies, for where You are is where we want to be!! Love You Lord, Amen.
SHANNA MORGAN I completely understand the perspective you were commenting about yesterday about the Spurgeon quote. And although I agree with you that we should not feel shame if we don’t get it right all of the time because God is bigger than our mistakes (which He is, hallelujah!), I think the spirit of this particular quote is different. Allow me to offer an example that parallels David’s situation. My husband was a Christian. He was very successful at his job and Satan was working hard to derail the ministry that he was leading. During that time my husband stopped looking to God and started relying fully on himself and his talents and abilities to lead the ministry. His ministry was thriving and he found himself tempted into an affair which lasted for 6 months. After he repented (being confronted by a close friend), he had to take a hard look at his rebellion against God and how he had gotten there. He said it was like he was someone else. He saw the affair as a direct symptom of turning from God during this successful time and instead turning to self. It allowed Satan to get a foot in the door and convince him that he deserved the “thrill and excitement” that sin can bring for a short time before utter destruction follows. I think this might be the heart of this quote. That David turned his focus from God because things were good, and allowed Satan to get a foothold.
Good morning Shes. Today’s reading was perfect timing. I lost my job due to a lay off 9 months ago and had learned of it a month prior to that. When I heard the news, I cranked up worship music as I knew it was the only way to change my mood and I wanted to give it to God. The song that was in my devotionals that morning on the Bible app came on randomly (or not so randomly as I took it as a sign from God) when I stepped into the virtual meeting where I was told I was impacted in the reorganization was Hallelujah Even Here. I sang it with all of my might. Today, I start a new job and am so grateful to be working again. I ask for your prayers as I start this new opportunity. A few other great songs include Gratitude by Brandon Lake that @Kathy shared. I’d also recommend Praise by Elevation Worship and Praise You Anywhere by Brandon Lake. Have a wonderful day!
In 2019 I wrote a note off the side of psalm 147 – I can almost guarantee it was from she reads truth or a comment from that day. “Worship can lasso the wild horses of shame, gladness, anger, loneliness, and sadness and then corral them inside the fence of truth. Worship is restorative; it is the corrective to our emotional ups and downs. Our spirits, minds and bodies are realigned to His reality.” This flows right out from praising God I Psalm 146 today. When I take my eyes of me & whatever problem is around me I can look to God who is much bigger and in control of all those things! Praise Him!!
Finally got my biopsy results back – 2nd best news – the cyst collapsed(likely meaning it’s just that a fluid filled cyst) & they could not get a good sample. They want to take a look at it through ultrasound again in six mouth and make sure it hasn’t returned. Still hopeful & prayerful as I wait… again!
Thank you Jesus for helping us keep our eyes on you and off ourselves today. You are HOLY FOREVER and may our lips ever praise YOU today.
Amen ❤️
I love that each of these psalms has an actual song I can go listen to from Poor Bishop Hooper. It has added a lovely layer to my study.
Loved today’s devotion so much! Such a great reminder to shift our perspective away from our present circumstances to our ever-present, never-changing God who loves us SO much and is SO faithful. What great hope regardless of what we are each facing <3
LAUREN GW – praying, dear sister! for healing, protection, peace, comfort, wisdom, guidance ❤️
CHERRIE BREWER – we see you ❤️
Praying for all in the path of Idalia, now a category 4, winds 130 mph.
Lord let everyone with breath Praise you! Amen
Anne Lammott wrote a book called “Help, Thanks, Wow” that holds the premise that these three words are the distilled version of every prayer we need. I love how simple it is- I need help, thank you, and wow you’re amazing. I’m really good at the Help prayers. I can “help me! Help me!” all day long. I’d like to think I’m fairly decent at the Thank You prayers too. It’s the Wow prayers l, the pure praise, that I find myself struggling to come up with words to say. The Psalms are a great reference point, especially when I start recognizing the lyrics to so many songs taken straight it from the pages. Today I lift up praise to God the Healer, who brought my friend’s husband through his open heart surgery yesterday. He is off the vent, breathing on his own. Thank you God! I also wanted to leave a comment from yesterday about the sweet grandsons that went to public school for the first time (I’m sorry I don’t remember the name of the She who posted!) When I was in 8th grade I entered public school after years of homeschool and Christian school. I was terrified, having heard all about the evils of The World. My very first encounter was with a boy wearing an upside down cross necklace who bragged he was an atheist. It was shocking to me. The stories about The World were true! But it was a defining moment for me, the line in the sand, and the first time I realized (out of my Christian bubble) that I had a faith of my own. I pray for your grandkids that they come to know who they are in Jesus and how that makes them different from the others they might encounter. I pray that they shine their little lights so all might see. And remember, first days are always rough. It gets better!
If you haven’t already I highly recommend listening to Brandon Lake’s song “Gratitude”. My favorite part of the song is the bridge: “So, come on my soul. Oh, don’t you get shy on me. Lift up your song ’cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.”
I headed over to the Enduring Word Commentary and hit Psalm 145 first! (I intentionally, but glad I did.) I learned that this was the last Psalm of David and full of praise! Then, I started reading the commentary for 146. Here’s just the notes from the beginning, but Wow!
Praise the LORD: The psalmist meant this (Hallelujah!) as both a declaration of his own praise to God and as an exhortation to praise. He called upon his own soul to give Yahweh praise, and others to give praise as well.
i. “Hallelujah is a compound word made up of two Hebrew words: hallel (an imperative verb meaning ‘praise’) and jah (a contraction of the name for God, Jehovah). So hallelujah means ‘Praise the Lord (or Jehovah).’” (Boice)
b. While I live I will praise the LORD: This is much the same as Psalm 104:33, declaring a determination to praise God with one’s entire life and being.
i. “No sooner is one hallelujah ended, but another begins.” (Horne)
ii. While I have my being: “…in my continuance, in my progression, my eternal existence. This is very expressive.” (Clarke)
iii. “We cannot be too firm in the holy resolve to praise God, for it is the chief end of our living and being that we should glorify God and enjoy him for ever.” (Spurgeon)
iv. “George Carpenter, the Bavarian martyr, being desired by some godly brethren, that when he was burning in the fire he would give them some sign of his constancy, answered, ‘Let this be a sure sign unto you of my faith and perseverance in the truth, that so long as I am able to hold open my mouth, or to whisper, I will never cease to praise God, and to profess his truth’; the which also he did, saith mine author; and so did many other martyrs besides.” (Trapp)
Even in the fire, the many martyrs praised the Lord!
He is worthy! Let’s all praise Him today and every day! Amen!
“Praise renews our perspective.”❤️
Look up! Hope in God. He will help and guide you through every step.
LAUREN GW – your situation is so heartbreaking. Continued prayers that the Lord would fill you with peace and courage to support your husband in his battle. If you don’t already have a counselor to help you and your children process his episodes, I hope that you would seek one.
GWINETH52 ❤️
ELIZABETH LITWILLER – joining you in prayer for your friend with ALS.
MELINDA ALLISON – welcome! Prayers for your struggle. May you be at peace with doing what you can to stay healthy and be patient until you can do more.
EILEEN DOWD – praying your grandkids make a difference in their school. Praying their parents will invest the time in helping them process each day’s events in a healthy way.
CHERRIE BREWER – I saw your post ❤️
Amen
When we look to God and He is our focus…the easier it is to praise. His beautiful face is all we need…to You alone do we look to. Your face is Who we seek! ❤️