This week, we're kicking off a new series on the Psalms. The Psalms have been called the prayer-book of the Bible. They're full of poetry and light and life, capturing the full range of emotion and experience with God.

We're excited to be spending time in them for the remainder of the summer.

This week, we'll be looking at Psalm 20. The first half of the psalm is a prayer of blessing over the people. It reads like this:

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

- Psalm 20:1-5

David, the writer of this psalm, prays that the people would receive the Lord's attention and involvement in their lives and community. Praying this prayer of blessing over them is one way that David contributes to the ongoing spiritual health and vitality of his community.

Would you consider writing your own prayer of blessing today? Who would you like to see receive a blessing from the Lord? What would you like the Lord to do for them? Try writing it out and praying it today.