Learning to Pray Through the PsalmsWeariness. Wonder. Joy. Longing. Anger. These are the feelings of the Psalms: honest expressions of pain and joy penned by real people in the midst of real life circumstances. Though they were written centuries ago, the Psalms still resonate deeply with us today, giving voice to our thoughts and longings: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD." (Psalm 130:1) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." (Psalm 84:2) In Learning to Pray Through the Psalms, James W. Sire teaches us to take our appreciation for this rich book of Scripture a step further. Choosing ten specific psalms, Sire offers background information that helps us read each one with deeper insight and then lays out a meditative, step-by-step approach to using the psalmists' words as a guide for our own personal conversation with God. A group study is also included in each chapter, along with a guide for praying through the psalm in community. The Lord loves when his people pray. And his Word is a powerful tool for framing honest, intimate prayers. Sire's innovative approach will enrich our minds and our souls as we read more perceptively and pray with all of our emotions. |
From inside the book
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Page 13
... understanding of each of the words or phrases that seem puzzling 3. analyzing the structures in the psalm: (a) rational structure, i.e., the flow of ideas; (b) emotional structure, i.e., the flow of emotions evoked in and by the psalm ...
... understanding of each of the words or phrases that seem puzzling 3. analyzing the structures in the psalm: (a) rational structure, i.e., the flow of ideas; (b) emotional structure, i.e., the flow of emotions evoked in and by the psalm ...
Page 17
... understand its impact on our soul . Still , if we let this psalm sink into our soul , not only will our rela- tionship to God be restored , but we will be learning to pray with a com- munity of saints that stretches back to ancient ...
... understand its impact on our soul . Still , if we let this psalm sink into our soul , not only will our rela- tionship to God be restored , but we will be learning to pray with a com- munity of saints that stretches back to ancient ...
Page 19
... understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. 10Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD . 11Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O ...
... understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. 10Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD . 11Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O ...
Page 20
... understand- ing of a psalm — or for that matter any poetry or highly intense form of writing . They help prevent our ... understand . We scarcely need the comments of scholars , important as they are for understanding many biblical texts ...
... understand- ing of a psalm — or for that matter any poetry or highly intense form of writing . They help prevent our ... understand . We scarcely need the comments of scholars , important as they are for understanding many biblical texts ...
Page 23
... understanding , whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle , else it will not stay near you . Concluding moral and sustaining counsel 10Many are the torments of the wicked , but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord ...
... understanding , whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle , else it will not stay near you . Concluding moral and sustaining counsel 10Many are the torments of the wicked , but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord ...
Contents
9 | |
11 | |
17 | |
WAITING FOR THE LORDPsalm 130 | 36 |
NIGHT THOUGHTSPsalm 4 | 54 |
A MORNING MEDITATIONPsalm 5 | 68 |
THIRSTING FOR GODPsalms 4243 | 84 |
A PLEA FOR DELIVERANCE FROM SLANDERPsalm 7 | 112 |
PRAYING OUR ANGERPsalm 137 | 146 |
THE GOD WHO KNOWS MEPsalm 139 | 177 |
OUR MIGHTY FORTRESSPsalm 46 | 196 |
TEACH US TO PRAY | 209 |
Guide for Small Group Leaders | 216 |
Notes | 219 |
Annotated Bibliography | 224 |
A BLAZING SONG OF JOYPsalm 84 | 128 |
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Common terms and phrases
2My soul answering speech Babylon biblical blessed C. H. Spurgeon C. S. Lewis Charles Spurgeon Christ Craigie curse Dallas Willard deceit deliverance depths despair DIRECTED PRAYER downcast Downers Grove earth Emotional Structure enemies Eugene Peterson evil experience feel forgiveness Gittith glad go about mourning God’s God's presence Happy Hebrew holy Israel Jerusalem Jesus John Stott judgment Kidner Korahites Leader LEARNING TO PRAY lex talionis lines living LORD of hosts meditation mind Mizar morning night Pause person read Psalm praise pray the psalm PRAYING PSALM Psalm 32 Psalm 46 Psalm 84 psalmist Put your hope Rational Structure READING OF PSALM reflect refuge and strength remember righteous Savior scholars Sheol shield silence sins slander Small Group Study songs of Zion soul waits spiritual Spurgeon Stanley Jaki Study of Psalm temple Thank Treasury of David trouble Václav Havel vengeance verse watchmen wait wicked wickedness words worship Zion