In our Praying the Psalms blog series, we'll use the summer to model how to pray the Bible. Follow along each week as we post a devotional prayer based on the Psalm from Sunday's sermon. Additionally, we'll include a prayer to pray with your kids that will help teach them how to pray the Bible. We hope this will be a sweet aid to your prayer life! For more information about praying the Bible consider reading Don Whitney's book Praying the Bible.

Praying Psalm 32

Father, those who know you forgive them are happy. In your mercy, you do not hold my sin against me. You do not treat me, or deal with me, according to my sins but by the blood of Christ. I praise you for your mercy to me!

I know that my sin deceives me and distorts my view of your goodness. I know that it hurts me when I cling to my sin and treasure it. It causes my soul to ache and my joy to erode. But, when I confess my sin to you, you refresh me. You forgive any who confesses their sin to you and believe in Christ because He is our advocate. Right now, I confess my sin to you. I do not want to hide. You love me too much for that. You invite me to come, so Lord, I come. Please forgive the sins of my heart. Forgive me for the pride that makes me think so little of you, and so lowly of others, while thinking so highly of myself. Forgive me for my unbelief which struggles to rest in your grace. Forgive me for the various ways that I rebel against you. I confess these to you now, as well as I know them. I praise you that my prayers reach you, and I am secure because of the blood of Christ. Refresh my soul with the hope of the gospel. Comfort my heart with the assurance of your love.

Teach me how to live in a way that honors you. Be near to me and guide me so that I will do what honors you. Do not let me be unresponsive to you. Make my heart responsive to Your Word, and guide me in your truth! Please! Only you can do it! Your love surrounds those who trust you, and I trust in you today. Fill my heart with joy in you!

You say, “to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Thank you for declaring me righteous and for covering my sins with the blood of Christ so that today, I stand before you white as snow and come before you wholly forgiven. I am happy in you because you have forgiven me. I am happy in you because you have brought me home to you. You are worthy of the praise of my heart. Help me to worship you with joy today. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Thank you for blessing me in Christ!

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Praying Psalm 32 with Kids

Father, you bring us joy when you forgive us. You bring us joy when you show us your mercy. When we do not confess our sins and live in rebellion against you, it hurts us. Please forgive me for loving other things more than you. This is wrong, and yet, I do it all the time. Help me to trust in Jesus so that my sins will be forgiven by His blood, and so that I might have the joy of knowing you and standing righteous before you. I know that true happiness is found only in you, so please help us be happy by trusting your Son.

In Jesus’ name, amen.