Valleys Deck Themselves with Grain – Psalm 65:1-13

Psalm 65:1-13

1Praise is due to you,

O God, in Zion;

and to you shall vows be performed,

2O you who answer prayer!

To you all flesh shall come.

3When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,

you forgive our transgressions.

4Happy are those whom you choose and bring near

to live in your courts.

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,

your holy temple.

5By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,

O God of our salvation;

you are the hope of all the ends of the earth

and of the farthest seas.

6By your strength you established the mountains;

you are girded with might.

7You silence the roaring of the seas,

the roaring of their waves,

the tumult of the peoples.

8Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs;

you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.

9You visit the earth and water it,

you greatly enrich it;

the river of God is full of water;

you provide the people with grain,

for so you have prepared it.

10You water its furrows abundantly,

settling its ridges,

softening it with showers,

and blessing its growth.

11You crown the year with your bounty;

your wagon tracks overflow with richness.

12The pastures of the wilderness overflow,

the hills gird themselves with joy,

13the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,

the valleys deck themselves with grain,

they shout and sing together for joy.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
  • Let your attention shift to a prayer that has been answered. 
  • How do you desire to praise God?
  • How is God brining you near?
  • Rest in the provision of God’s faithfulness.
  • Let your attention shift to a prayer for which you are still waiting an answer. 
  • How will you know God’s answer?
  • What message does God have for you?
  • Ask God to bless this time of expectant waiting.
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Is there a call to action?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, October 27, 2019, the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Joel 2:23-32
Psalm 65:1-13
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings.  (c) 2019 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD

Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson, TX.  Upon completion of her spiritual direction certification, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time.  Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within.  It dawned on her others might enjoy the practice, as well.  So she began to share them on this site.

As you experience the practice of Praying the Lectionary, adopt a loving, caring, and compassionate stance.  If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do.  Keep wrestling.  God is faithful to your journey.  Love and hope will emerge.  Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.

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