Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

---

Read

Psalm 102:1-17 (NRSV)

Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call.

For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is stricken and withered like grass;
I am too wasted to eat my bread.
Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a little owl of the waste places.
I lie awake;
I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
For I eat ashes like bread,
and mingle tears with my drink,
because of your indignation and anger;
for you have lifted me up and thrown me aside.
My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.

But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;
your name endures to all generations.
You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to favor it;
the appointed time has come.
For your servants hold its stones dear,
and have pity on its dust.
The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory.
For the LORD will build up Zion;
he will appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their prayer.

---

Reflect

Verse 12 of this psalm tells us that the Lord’s name “endures to all generations.” In ancient times, a person’s name represented the entire essence and being of that person. The psalmist tells us that God’s name will be in effect forever, which gives us a deeper understanding of the Christian practice of praying in Jesus’ name. We are not simply tagging Christ’s given name onto our prayers, but are putting the entire force and being of God behind our prayers. When we understand this, we should be excited about our prayer life.

God’s name endures forever. God loves us and God’s name which will endure forever, is shared with God’s children. We, in turn, are given great power and authority through God’s name.

---

Pray

Almighty God, grant us the understanding of what it means for your name to endure forever as well as the ability to pray, worship, and exist in that name throughout all times. In Jesus name. Amen.

Go with God.