A Prayer For Strength

Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies.

Look down from heaven and see our plight.

Take care of this grapevine

that you yourself have planted,

this son you have raised for yourself. . . .

Strengthen the man you love,

the son of your choice.

Then we will never abandon you again.

Revive us so we can call on your name once more.

Turn us again to yourself, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.

Make your face shine down upon us.

Only then will we be saved.

Psalm 80:14-19

When we are exhausted—at the very end of our own strength—there is only one place to turn. God is our only hope for strength. Asaph, the psalmist, stated this truth in his prayer to God. Why should God revive us again and again? God created us to be in relationship with him. He wants us to call on his name. We are his vine, and as such we’re completely dependent on the one who has planted us—God himself. We can’t grow unless he provides moist soil, pure water, and sunshine. Leaving or forsaking our Provider is ultimately suicidal.

Dedicate some time today for praising and thanking God for his love for you. And when you feel like you can’t go on, ask him to revive and strengthen you.

• O Lord God, make your face shine down upon us . . .