7 days
Psalms for Difficult Days
Seven psalms to pray through a hard season, one steadying prayer a day.
Day 1
The Lord is my shepherd
1Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
Psalms 23WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
The most loved psalm, quiet trust for any valley.
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. You draw near to the broken-hearted and promise comfort to those who mourn. Would you sit close to me in this sorrow, and let me feel that I do not grieve alone. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
Pray Psalm 23 as your own, one line at a time.
Day 2
A very present help
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 3though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. 4There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. 5God is in her midst. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn. 6The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted. 7Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8Come, see Yahweh’s works, what desolations he has made in the earth. 9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. 10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” 11Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
God is a refuge while the world shakes.
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. You are the keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps, watching over your own. Would you watch over me, guard me from harm, and surround me with your care. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
Be still for one minute and know that he is God.
Day 3
In the shelter of the Most High
1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalms 91:1-2WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
Rest in the shadow of the Almighty, your refuge.
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. You are the keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps, watching over your own. Would you watch over me, guard me from harm, and surround me with your care. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
Name God as your refuge over one specific fear.
Day 4
My help comes from the Lord
1I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? 2My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth. 3He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. 4Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5Yahweh is your keeper. Yahweh is your shade on your right hand. 6The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. 8Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.
Psalms 121WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
The Keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps watches over you.
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. You are the keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps, watching over your own. Would you watch over me, guard me from harm, and surround me with your care. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
Lift your eyes from the problem to the One who keeps you.
Day 5
Why so downcast?
11Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
Psalms 42:11WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
An honest psalm that preaches hope back to a weary soul.
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. You hold plans for a future and a hope, working all things toward good for those who love you. Would you lift my eyes beyond today, and keep hope alive in me even in the waiting. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
Speak hope to yourself: ‘I will yet praise him.’
Day 6
The Lord hears
17The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
Psalms 34:17-18WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
God hears the cry of the righteous and saves the crushed.
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. You draw near to the broken-hearted and promise comfort to those who mourn. Would you sit close to me in this sorrow, and let me feel that I do not grieve alone. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
Cry out honestly; he is near, not distant.
Day 7
The Lord is my light
1Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1WEBRead in contextRead the full chapter World English Bible
Reflection
With God as light and stronghold, whom shall I fear?
A guided prayer inspired by today's Scripture
Heavenly Father, thank you that I can come to you just as I am. Your grace is sufficient, and your power is made perfect in weakness. Would you renew my strength and meet me in the very place that feels weakest. I place this in your hands and choose to trust you with what I cannot control. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Faithful action
End the week naming God your light over the days ahead.