A Prayer about Ascribing Glory to the Lord

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Psalm 29:1

Glorious Lord,

It’s easy to come to you in prayer 

with a grocery list of wants and needs. 

Forgive us for forgetting 

that the best prayer starts 

with recognizing your glory, 

your strength, 

your splendor, 

your holiness, 

your majesty, 

and your might. 

Thank you for Psalm 29, 

which reminds us that we join

with heavenly beings 

when we pause to reflect 

on your glory. 

Today, we join David in awe 

at just a few of your many marvels:

Your “voice” is “over the waters” (29:3), 

waters which in ancient times were chaotic and dangerous. 

In other words, you establish order in the midst of chaos.

Your voice “breaks the cedars of Lebanon” (29:5), 

the renowned and majestic trees 

of the great ancient city of Lebanon; 

in other words, your power overcomes 

the most powerful forces we face.  

Your voice “shakes the wilderness” (29:8), 

a dangerous and murderous world in ancient times; 

in other words, you grab what threatens us 

and shake it to its core.

And on and on we can go 

ascribing your glory to you.

Thank you for these reminders of your glory 

that change the list of requests we name. 

For indeed, what we truly want and need most 

is for your glory to reign forever and ever. 

In Jesus’ glorious name. Amen. 

Pray Psalm 29 (aloud).