Scripture: Psalm 51

Devotion

Have you ever driven a car that’s out of alignment? The signs are clear: the steering wheel shakes, the car pulls to one side, and you’re constantly fighting against your car instead of working with it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll put off going to the mechanic until the problem becomes absolutely unavoidable. But here’s the thing: If I made it a habit to routinely check and service my car, alignment would never be an issue in the first place.

Spiritually, we need that daily and weekly realignment in God’s presence and with God’s people; those quiet moments of coming before the Lord in prayer, meeting with Him in His Word, and laying down our word, will, and way to pick up His Word, His will, and His way.

Psalm 51 is David’s moment of realignment. He drifted far off course, but in worship, through confession and repentance, God restores the joy of his salvation, renews a steadfast spirit within him, and realigns David’s heart with His once again (vv.10–12). To be sure, we worship God because He is worthy, yet in His infinite kindness, God has also designed worship, offered in spirit and truth, to be for our good as well as for His glory. Through worship, He realigns our hearts with His and leads us to walk in step with Him once again.

A Personal Prayer

Father, create in me a clean heart.
Father, renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.
Father, restore to me the joy of my salvation.

Pray for Our Neighbors: Williamson County Young Life

Williamson County Young Life is part of a global ministry that reaches middle school, high school, and college students with the message of Jesus. Through relationships, mentorship, and discipleship, Young Life leaders walk alongside students as they grow in faith and learn to live for God’s Kingdom.

• Pray for Young Life leaders for God to renew their passion, strength, and encouragement as they invest in young lives and share the gospel.
• Ask God to open the hearts of students who are far from Him to encounter Jesus in a transformative way.
• Pray for discipleship to thrive within Young Life, equipping students to grow in faith and become influential leaders for God’s Kingdom.

Pray for the Nations: Global Workers | Josh & Danielle Payne

Josh and Danielle serve in military chaplaincy, providing spiritual guidance and gospel-centered care to soldiers and their families across the world. Josh leads chaplaincy for thousands of service members facing unique spiritual, physical, and emotional challenges, while Danielle ministers to military families navigating the demands of deployment and distance.

• Pray for wisdom, strength, and endurance for Josh as he shepherds and counsels soldiers through hardship and spiritual need.
• Ask God to soften the hearts of service members resistant to faith, drawing them to salvation through the hope of Christ.
• Pray for Danielle’s ministry to military families and for their own family relationships to remain strong across the distance.