- ticularly heavy burdens of grief, loss, or anxiety, you might turn to the words of Psalm 13 for help in prayer. David voices honest questions: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (13:1) In pray- ing these words, we join generations of believers who have learned that God welcomes lament as much as praise. Our own pain and questions can be voiced through the psalmist’s words. David’s psalm instructs us to complete even these types of prayers with expressions of trust. With him we can say, “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (v. 6), even if we do so in the midst of pain.
For times when self-examination has led to grief over our own sin, the familiar words of Psalm 51 direct us in confession. Turning the psalm into a prayer helps us learn how to admit transgression, plead for God’s mercy, and ask for renewal. This psalm gives us language for repentance, and helps us articulate trust in God’s unfailing love as we seek restoration and joy in our inner lives.
One of my favorites, Psalm 103, - - enant God. As we are reminded of the Lord’s goodness to us, this psalm can help shape our prayers. We can recount our own blessings in God’s presence, responding to the litany of them with thanksgiving and praise. In moments of need or when praying for others, Psalm 86 offers a model of calling upon God for help and guidance: “Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer
me...Be gra- cious to me, O Lord…” (86:1a, 3a). We can use this psalm as a guide
January/February 2026
for our own concerns, our church, or those we know who need God’s gra- cious intervention. David’s ancient words become the rubric for our modern intercessions. As we approach the upcoming year of Bible study and prayer, may we em- brace the Psalms, not only as ancient poetry or even just as examples of others’ prayers, but as the living, breathing words by which God shapes the cries of our hearts. Using scripture as a guide to our prayers means making the most of its “living and active” character (Hebrews 4:12). In the remarkable dialogue of faith, God speaks to us through his Word, and our prayers become a way of responding, answering back, as children in con- versation with a loving Father. As we let the Psalms guide our prayers, we are shaped by the Spirit-breathed words, sometimes echoing pleas for help, some- times bursting with gratitude, sometimes simply resting in God’s faithfulness. Here, in the honest language of scripture, we discover not only what to say but in what posture to say it: as we are, in every emotion, circumstance, and season. As you journey through the Psalms this year, may their words become your
who knows, hears, and welcomes every prayer.
ARP Women’s Ministry: Prayer Emphasis 2026 ARP Women’s Ministries encourages the women of the denomination to par- ticipate in an annual Prayer Emphasis program or event in their local church. The Prayer Emphasis programs at our churches all look different and vary from year to year. Perhaps a dinner is held and your pastor or a speaker is invited to address women on the topic of prayer. Or, a day of prayer is set aside for day. Maybe a prayer partner initiative is developed or a prayer-by-letter-writing ministry is revived. It could be as simple as drawing attention to the opportuni- ties for corporate prayer already provided by your church. However you choose to observe it, we hope that a Prayer Emphasis program can be a time for the women in your church to encourage one another toward the regular practice of corporate and personal prayer. Below are some ideas that could be incorporated into a prayer program; adapt as needed for private or public use. May we be women of prayer!
Psalms for every State of Heart
on Earth do Dwell”), Psalm 103 (“Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven”)
• Fear and Anxiety, Psalm 27, Psalm 46 (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”)
• Sorrow and Lament, Psalm 6, Psalm 130 (“Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee” or “From the Depths of Woe”)
• Guilt and Repentance, Psalm 32, Psalm 51 (“God be Merciful to Me”)
• Anger at Injustice, Psalm 35 (“Contend, O Lord, With Those”) • Remembrance, Psalm 126, Psalm 90 (“O God, Our Help in Ages Past”)
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