Why pray the Psalms?
The Psalms are inspired prayers. They teach us to speak honestly — to praise, lament, confess, trust, and hope. They expand the narrow vocabulary of our own prayers.
Guide
Praying the Psalms
The Psalms have been the prayer book of God's people for three thousand years. They give us words for every season.
Pick a Psalm. Read it slowly. Pray any line that becomes your own. Let the Psalm carry you when you do not have words.
A simple pattern
1) Read the Psalm aloud. 2) Mark a line that arrests you. 3) Pray that line back to God. 4) Sit in silence. 5) Carry it through your day.
Psalms for praise
Psalm 8 · 19 · 33 · 103 · 145 · 150
Psalms for trouble
Psalm 13 · 22 · 42 · 88 · 130 · 142
Psalms for repentance
Psalm 6 · 32 · 38 · 51 · 130 · 143
Psalms of trust
Psalm 16 · 23 · 27 · 46 · 62 · 121
Psalms of thanks
Psalm 30 · 34 · 40 · 100 · 116 · 138