Evening Scripture

Psalm 55 
Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.

My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.
Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.
Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.

Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.

As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days.

But as for me, I trust in you.

Evening Reflection

As you end this day and prepare for rest, God invites you through Psalm 55 to lay it all down. This means everything that’s grieving, stressing, or even scaring you. David’s cry for help may sound nothing like yours — or it may feel strangely familiar. Whether or not you are at bitter odds with a former friend, at a loss to trust someone — or anyone — or you just feel deeply burdened by the bad news all around you, you can pray like David for relief. Wherever you are, God is right here with you. And he longs for you to cast off what’s weighing you down. 

It might be a relationship, a diagnosis, a loss, or a challenge, and it feels like you want it all figured out tonight. The truth is, you can’t possibly hold all the circumstances, all the possible outcomes, or all the answers to what’s unknown. But you can ask God to fight for you. To hear your prayer, lift your load, and clear your vision. He knows that sleep is what you really need to rise tomorrow with hope. So, be kind to yourself and lean on God’s strength. Believe in a God who’s able to handle even the bloodthirsty, wicked enemies that David was facing. He’s bigger than any betrayal or pain. And he wants you to let him care for you. Soothe you. Protect you. Rescue you. Right now, just rest in your faith. As you pour out your heart into his, let trust be your blanket. Relax ... knowing God will carry you through ... tonight, tomorrow, and always.

Evening Prayer

Dear God,
As I settle myself to sleep this evening, I give you everything that’s weighing me down. I know you are right here with me, and you’re not afraid of how confused and hurt I sometimes feel. I don’t want to keep spinning scenarios in my head or feeling my heart race with worry. I want to know that you have this. That I’m safe with you. That you’re holding me tenderly, so that I can find true rest.
Lord, lift these fears and woes away from me and lead me to slumber. I release my grip now and trust in your almighty sovereignty. Thank you for being my strength, my hope, and my savior.
Amen.

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