In Psalm 101, David pledges to sing God's praise (v. 1), to walk in God's ways (v. 2), to be innocent of evil (v. 3-4), to confront evil (v. 5, 7-8), and to support (and seek support from) good company (v. 6).
O Lord, grant that we might share David's zeal in wholeheartedly living for you. We all have wandered from your ways and have been guilty of wrongdoing. We pray, forgive us and renew us. Purify us from all evil. Help us flee from every temptation. Deliver us from the evil one.
O Lord, we know we can't just empty ourselves of evil; we also need to be filled with what is good. Let us meditate on your Word and on your ways, because your Word is perfect, and all your ways are blameless. Increasingly conform us to your righteousness, that we might walk with integrity of heart.
Father, grant us Christian companions to encourage us and support us in our walk with you. Because you are with us, we know we can do anything, but having godly examples and mentors and friends is such a blessing to our lives. So often we see you at work through others sharing your wisdom and your love, and being present for us and with us in times of hardship and in times of celebration too.
Father, we pray also that you would grant us the courage to confront evil. As David speaks of destroying evildoers, we recognize his context is different from our own. And yet, we recognize something good and right about his confrontation of evildoers. He stands up for those who are slandered and oppressed, so that justice and peace might flourish for them. Grant that we might also be a blessing to those who are oppressed. We pray also, grant that we might be a blessing to the oppressors. Grant that our confrontation (speaking the truth in love) might lead these individuals to repentance unto life. Grant that they too might come to know the joy of delighting in your perfect laws of love and walking in your ways. Lord, we pray all these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
