Video: How to Pray the Psalms
A message from Brandon about how pray the Psalms!
May 17 – Psalms 1-2
Pray Psalms 1–2
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 2
1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
Today I have become your Father.[c]
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9 You will break[d] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son,[e] or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Reflection Question:
Where have I been listening to voices that are draining rather than strengthening my soul?
Prayer Prompt:
Ask God to show you one area where He wants to plant you more deeply in Him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (NLT) copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
DAY 20 — January 23
HOW TO PRAY FROM A PLACE OF AUTHORITY
1 Samuel 17:45 — “You come against me with sword and spear… but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.”
Authority in prayer is not about volume, personality, or emotion—it is about identity. David’s authority did not come from armor, training, rank, or reputation. It came from one reality: he knew the name in which he stood. He approached Goliath not as a shepherd boy but as a representative of the living God.
Spiritual authority flows from intimacy with God and alignment with His Word. Prayer becomes powerful when the believer prays from who they are in Christ, not from who they feel like in the moment.
Three movements help cultivate authority in prayer:
1. Stand in Your Identity
David did not let Saul define him, Goliath intimidate him, or the army’s fear reshape him. He stood confidently in who God had called him to be. Many believers underestimate their authority because they overidentify with their weaknesses.
Scripture declares believers are children of God, ambassadors of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and more than conquerors. Authority flows from identity. You cannot pray boldly if you view yourself as spiritually powerless.
2. Speak His Name
Authority is not based on human ability but divine partnership. David wasn’t fighting for God; He was fighting from God. When believers speak the name of Jesus, darkness loses ground, fear loses strength, and the enemy loses influence.
Praying in Jesus’ name is not a ritual—it is a declaration that you are standing under His authority and accessing His victory. Every spiritual battle bends under the authority of Christ.
3. Step Into the Battle
Authority is not theoretical; it must be exercised. David stepped toward the giant when everyone else stepped back. Authority grows as it is used. Many believers wait to feel strong before acting in faith, but spiritual authority becomes real when believers step forward even while trembling.
Prayer becomes powerful when it moves you to action—choosing forgiveness, confronting fear, resisting temptation, standing in truth, or taking a bold step God is prompting you to take.
Today, pray:
“Lord, help me stand in my identity, speak Your authority over every battle, and step forward in faith.”
Journal Prompt:
What battle have I been approaching from insecurity instead of authority, and what truth from Scripture declares who I am in Christ?
DAY 21 — January 24
HOW TO PRAY WITH A HEART THAT FINISHES WELL
1 Samuel 18:14 — “In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.”
As the 21 Days of Prayer come to a close, the story of David offers one more powerful truth: battles are not won by a single moment of courage but by a lifetime of staying close to God. David didn’t just defeat Goliath—he continued walking with God long after the applause faded, long after the battle was remembered, and long after the pressure increased.
Finishing well requires more than strength; it requires heart. It requires the kind of spiritual resilience that refuses to drift, forget, or return to old patterns. This final devotional focuses on the quality that carried David through decades of battles, betrayals, victories, losses, and responsibilities:
He kept his heart aligned with God.
1 Samuel 18:14 reveals a key phrase:
“…because the LORD was with him.”
This was David’s secret. It was never talent, strategy, or charisma. His success—in battles, leadership, calling, and character—came from the ongoing presence of God. If Week 3 has been about winning the fight, Day 21 is about learning how to keep walking in victory long after the giant falls.
To pray with a heart that finishes well, Scripture offers three movements:
1. Pray for a Heart That Stays Soft
David encountered criticism, jealousy, betrayal, and injustice—but he refused to let bitterness harden him. A hard heart eventually collapses under pressure, but a soft heart stays responsive to God’s voice.
A heart that finishes well remains tender even through disappointment. It keeps worship alive. It stays teachable. It doesn’t allow victories to create pride or struggles to create cynicism.
When believers pray for a soft heart, they are asking God to protect them from the slow erosion of spiritual vitality.
Prayer focus:
“Lord, keep my heart soft toward You. Don’t let success make me proud or struggles make me numb.”
2. Pray for a Heart That Stays Steady
The true test of spiritual stability isn’t found in great moments, but in consistent ones. David didn’t become a warrior in the valley—he became one in the fields. He didn’t become faithful after he became king—he learned it while protecting sheep.
Finishing well requires steadiness:
- Steadiness in prayer
- Steadiness in obedience
- Steadiness in faith
- Steadiness in character
Battles are won by moments of courage, but victories are sustained by a rhythm of surrender. Steadiness means prioritizing God’s presence not occasionally, but continually.
Prayer focus:
“Lord, steady my heart. Make me faithful in the unseen spaces so I can stand firm in the public ones.”
3. Pray for a Heart That Stays Surrendered
David’s greatest strength wasn’t his sling—it was his surrender. He did not cling to the throne when God gave it, nor did he cling to sin when he stumbled. Surrender restored him. Surrender guided him. Surrender is what allowed God to call him “a man after My own heart.”
A surrendered heart finishes well because it remains aligned with God’s leadership. It trusts God’s timing. It repents quickly. It obeys wholeheartedly.
Surrender isn’t weakness; it is the position of greatest spiritual authority.
Prayer focus:
“Lord, I surrender again today. Lead me, correct me, strengthen me, and make my heart fully Yours.”
WHY THIS MATTERS ON DAY 21
These 21 days were never meant to be an event—they were meant to be a beginning. A heart that finishes well does not rely on spiritual bursts but on daily alignment. It keeps God at the center. It continues praying with authority. It continues walking with focus. It continues fighting the right battles with the right weapons.
Victory is not the end—staying close to God is.
If the first week shaped the heart, the second week strengthened trust, and the third week equipped believers to win spiritual battles, then Day 21 becomes a bridge into the months ahead. It declares:
“I will not only fight well—I will finish well.”
Today, pray:
“Lord, help me keep a soft heart, a steady walk, and a surrendered spirit. Let me finish this journey with the same passion and devotion that I began it.”
Journal Prompt:
As I look ahead, what practices, priorities, or perspectives do I need to carry with me so I can finish well in the battles God has called me to fight?
DAY 19 — January 22
HOW TO PRAY WITH A FOCUSED HEART
Colossians 3:2 — “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Spiritual battles are often won or lost in the realm of focus. Scripture teaches that whatever captures your attention eventually shapes your direction. The enemy doesn’t always need to defeat a believer—he only needs to distract them. That is why Colossians 3:2 commands believers to set their minds, not simply allow their minds to drift.
A focused heart is not accidental; it is intentional. David’s victory over Goliath wasn’t only about courage—it was about focus. While Israel focused on the size of the giant, David focused on the faithfulness of God. While the army fixated on fear, David fixed his gaze on the Lord.
To develop a focused heart in prayer, Scripture invites believers into three movements:
1. Focus Your Attention
“Set your minds…”
This phrase implies deliberate effort. Attention is the steering wheel of the soul. When your attention drifts toward worry, fear, comparison, or distraction, spiritual clarity diminishes. Prayer becomes difficult not because God is distant, but because the heart is divided.
Focusing your attention means choosing what deserves your mental energy and refusing to dwell on what drains it. A focused heart begins with a focused mind, intentionally directed toward God’s truth.
2. Focus Your Affection
“…on things above…”
Affection is what the heart loves, values, and gravitates toward. A distracted heart often reveals misplaced loves—comfort, approval, control, achievement, or security. When affection is fixed on earthly things, the soul becomes cluttered. When affection is set on Christ, the soul becomes whole.
Prayer realigns the heart’s loves. It helps believers desire what God desires and treasure what He treasures. A focused heart loves God more than convenience, calling more than comfort, obedience more than ease.
3. Focus Your Assignment
“…not on earthly things.”
Earthly things are not inherently sinful; they are simply temporary. Focused believers remember their calling—to honor God, to serve others, to walk in holiness, and to advance His kingdom. Distraction pulls the heart away from purpose; focus pulls the heart deeper into it.
David fulfilled his assignment not because he was the most gifted, but because he was the most focused. He stayed aligned with what God called him to do even when it was difficult, unseen, or misunderstood.
Today, pray:
“Lord, help me fix my attention on You, set my affection on things above, and stay focused on the assignment You’ve given me.”
Journal Prompt:
What distractions have been pulling my focus away from God, and what practical step can I take today to realign my attention, affection, and assignment?
Day 17 — January 20
How to Pray with a Heavenly Perspective
Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
Prayer changes perspective. When you pray only from what you see, fear grows. But when you pray by faith, God lifts your eyes beyond the moment. David saw the same battlefield as everyone else—but prayer allowed him to interpret it differently.
Many situations feel overwhelming because we’re too close to them. Prayer helps us zoom out, trust God’s bigger plan, and remember that what we see now isn’t the full story.
How to Pray with a Heavenly Perspective:
1. Look Beyond the Surface.
Ask God to show you what’s happening spiritually, not just emotionally or circumstantially.
2. Ask to See What God Sees.
Invite God to reshape your understanding of the situation, even if it challenges your assumptions.
3. Pray with Eternity in Mind.
Trust that God is working beyond this moment, even if clarity comes later.
Journal Prompt:
Where might you be relying too heavily on what you see right now? How could prayer help you view this situation through God’s perspective?
Day 18 — January 21
How to Pray with the Right Weapons
Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons. David didn’t fight Goliath with Saul’s armor—he fought with what God had trained him to use. Likewise, fear, anxiety, and discouragement won’t be defeated by effort alone. Prayer teaches us to use the tools God has already given us.
When you pray, you stop fighting in your own strength and start relying on heaven’s power.
How to Pray with the Right Weapons:
1. Use the Word of God.
Pray Scripture aloud to anchor your heart in truth when lies try to take over.
2. Use Worship.
Worship shifts your focus from the problem to God’s presence and power.
3. Use Prayer as Dependence, Not a Last Resort.
Prayer isn’t something you tack on—it’s the foundation for spiritual victory.
Journal Prompt:
Which spiritual weapon have you been neglecting—God’s Word, worship, or prayer? What intentional step will you take today to use it?
Day 16 — January 19
How to Pray with Giant-Defeating Faith
Key Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:47
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” — 1 Samuel 17:47
Giant-killing faith is formed in prayer. David didn’t wait until after the victory to trust God—he prayed and spoke with confidence before the outcome was visible. Prayer trains your heart to rely on God instead of your own strength.
Faith-filled prayer doesn’t ignore fear—it speaks louder than it. When you pray this way, your weakness becomes the stage for God’s power.
How to Pray:
1. Declare God’s Victory.
Speak what God is capable of doing, not just what you’re afraid might happen.
2. Diminish the Giant.
Refuse to exaggerate the size of the problem. In prayer, remind yourself that nothing is bigger than God.
3. Depend Fully on the Lord.
Tell God honestly where you feel weak, and trust Him to supply the strength you lack.
Journal Prompt:
What would it look like for you to declare God’s victory out loud today? Where do you need to shift from self-reliance to dependence on Him?
Day 15 — January 18
Winning the Fight
Key Text: 1 Samuel 17:45
“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” — 1 Samuel 17:45
Winning the fight always begins in prayer. Before David ever ran toward Goliath, he settled something in his heart—who he was trusting. Prayer is the place where giants begin to lose their power, because prayer reorders what feels strong and what truly is.
David didn’t deny the giant. He simply refused to give the giant authority over his confidence. Prayer helped David shift the battle from physical intimidation to spiritual reality. When God became bigger in David’s heart, fear lost its grip.
How to Pray When You’re Facing a Giant:
1. Magnify God, Not the Giant.
Begin prayer by naming who God is—His power, faithfulness, and authority—before naming what you’re afraid of.
2. Reject Fear as the Loudest Voice.
In prayer, choose to let God’s promises speak louder than worst-case scenarios.
3. Commit to Move Forward in Faith.
Prayer doesn’t always remove the giant immediately, but it gives you courage to take the next obedient step.
Journal Prompt:
What giant are you facing right now? How can you intentionally magnify God in your prayers instead of magnifying your fear?
DAY 14 — January 17
HOW TO PRAY WITH UNWAVERING TRUST
Proverbs 3:5 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Trust becomes most real when life makes the least sense. Proverbs 3:5 is simple to quote but difficult to live because it invites believers into radical dependence. Trust means placing full confidence in God’s wisdom over your own interpretation.
To develop unwavering trust, Scripture gives three movements:
1. Lean Less on Logic
“…lean not on your own understanding…”
Logic is not the enemy of faith, but it is not the foundation of faith. God often leads in ways that transcend human reasoning. Trust requires acknowledging that your understanding is limited, but God’s wisdom is limitless. Many people revisit past seasons and realize God was working even when life felt chaotic.
Praying with unwavering trust means releasing the need to figure everything out.
2. Lean More on His Word
Trust grows where truth is planted. When circumstances feel confusing, the Word of God becomes the anchor that steadies the soul. His promises become the lens through which you interpret uncertainty. The more you lean into Scripture, the more stable your trust becomes.
3. Lean Fully Into His Plan
Trust means surrendering not only your worries but your will—believing that God’s plan, timing, and direction hold eternal wisdom. Leaning fully into His plan transforms fear into faith. It turns confusion into confidence that God is writing a story better than the one you would have chosen.
David learned unwavering trust not because life was easy but because God was faithful. The same God who guided David guides you.
Today, pray:
“Lord, I trust You with all my heart. Help me lean less on my understanding and more on Your Word and Your plan.”
Journal Prompt:
What situation is requiring me to trust God beyond my understanding, and what would it look like to lean fully into His plan today?