Psalm 119:175 says: “Let me live, so I can praise you…”
Lord, I have begun with that prayer with You my whole life. I used to hide behind it in shame and guilt. My prayers sounded like: God, just let me get through high school without anyone finding out what goes on in my head. I tried to bargain. God, let me get to college and I’ll change. There was most definitely a lot wrong with my logic back then and my prayers were more like cries for help.
As I got older it turned into versions of: God, let me live long enough to get married. God, let me start a family before I get to Heaven. My prayers get so me-focused sometimes. God, let me get this house and I’ll be able to start fostering kids. My daddy tells this story that when I was growing up, he came alongside me and just said poof, what do you need? I think I tried that approach with You too, God. I have begged and pleaded with You more times than I can count. God, let me do this or that… God, let me live and I’ll… But I have never prayed “Let me live, so I can praise you…”
That was a heart check. I immediately felt convicted. Last week I was working on making better choices, that was my theme of the week. I made a few real good choices. I got up and worked out, ate a little healthier. Tried to work on my voice tone and the words I choose. Picked my battles more intentionally. I spent more time in the word. I spent less time laying in the bed or on the couch being lazy. I listened to a Christian podcast instead of the radio.
Then this week happened and I feel attacked in almost every direction. I’m extra sensitive right now and it’s like everrrrrbody knows it and is ready to pounce. Like I was on some radar: this one is doing good this week, get her!
But that’s not real or true and it can only leave me feeling small if I give power to it.
So, here is my prayer today. I pray that I let you speak life into me. Lord, let me live so I can praise you. That’s all. I just want to praise you. With every breathe, every word, every step, every move, every gift, every talent, every brain cell, every emotion, every mood swing, every thought, every fiber of my being, every word I write, every phone call I answer, every drive I take, every second of every day, Lord, let me praise you. Every time I am cut off in traffic, let me praise you. Every time I am confronted, let me praise you. Every time I am attacked, let me praise you. Every time I am stressed and overwhelmed, let me praise you. Every time I am grieving, let me praise you. Every time I run out or lack, let me praise you. Every time I want to run away, let me praise you. Every time something good happens, let me praise you. Every time I am grateful, let me praise you. Every time I am blessed with an abundance, let me praise you. Every time I win or lose, let me praise you. Every time I want to give up, let me praise you. Every load of laundry, let me praise you. Every dinner I cook, let me praise you. Every hour I clock-in, let me praise you. Every thing I do, feel, or think, let me praise you. Lord, let me live so I can praise you. And as always I pray for my family and sorority sisters. I pray for my university. I pray for guidance for our government, church, and school leaders. I pray for protection for our troops. I pray for all of those that need you now and for those that haven’t met you yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
southerngirlsprayers 