Psalm 71
May 10, 2026 Heavenly Father—rock, refuge, fortress; rescuer, deliverer, savior. May we know you this way, in the midst of our battles, as the writer did amidst his battles. As he always had hope, so may we—even today. As he was filled with praise, mingled with his heart-cries, so may we be. We admit our unbelief, our banking on faulty help, our frequent complaints. We repent, Lord. We turn afresh to embrace the perspective of this psalm.
Thank you for its long view: from birth to old age, trusting you all the way, and passing you on to the next generation. Wherever we have started, lead us, Lord, to the very end of life in this long journey of faith in who you are, faith in what you’ve said, and faith in what you’ve done. And may our lives and our words put you on display for the next generations to see clearly.
We praise you, Heavenly Father, that undergirding all of our embrace of this psalm, all of our aspirations to live and pray the way this writer did—firmly undergirding this is the greatest of all deliverances that you granted: you raised your Son, Jesus, from the dead, fulfilling all the heart-cries and praises of this psalm, and ushering us into embracing them for our own lives.
Thinking of generations, Lord, we are mindful that today is Mother’s Day. It brings gratitude to some here, pain to others. Minister to each of us in our unique relationship to the awesome reality of mother. Thank you for mothers who have or who are passing on Jesus to the next generation. Start that relay in families who are first-generation in Christ. Continue that relay in families where the heritage of faith runs long and deep.
May the upcoming Challenge conference strengthen our students who will be attending. Equip them to share Jesus with their own generation. Supply their needs as they make preparations.
We remember special needs today, Father. Bless Mike’s continued recovery. Strengthen his body; encourage his spirit. And comfort Steve and Jeanette in the loss of their son. O Lord, have mercy in this sudden and painful bereavement.
Guide our congregation, Lord, as we seek a clearer vision for the future and a clearer path in the present. Keep maturing us in bringing all people into healthy relationship with you and with one another.
Deepen and shape those very relationships, Lord, through your astonishing teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. May your unique words confront us, nourish us, change us, liberate us, and lead us in a lifestyle that is strikingly and attractively counter-cultural.
With thanks and anticipation we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s people said, “Amen!”