|
Prayer in the Psalms
wonderful study of how to use the Psalms as tools for prayer. Peterson is Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. PRAYER IN THE PSALMS When we go to prayer in the Psalms we find, often to our surprise, that we have been ushered to a pew in the vigorously rich worship of Israel. When David organized Israel into a worshiping congregation, thirty-eight thousand Levites were assigned to provide the leadership and support required (1 Chron. 23:3). Prayer in Israel was not left up to individuals to do or not do as they more or less felt inclined. This was a public works project of impressive dimensions. It was neither private nor peripheral. Common worship takes precedence over private devotions. - Eugene H. Peterson in ANSWERING GOD: THE PSALMS AS TOOLS FOR PRAYER, HarperCollins Publishers, 1989, p. 83. [The title of this book is a so instructive. It is a reminder that all worship and prayer is a response to our God. We fool ourselves if we think we can "please" God into blessing us. He is the initiator. He is the one who invites us into relationship. He is the lover of our souls. And all God's people said, "_____!"] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.sbts.edu |