Sermon Prep

While working on my sermon this week, I had the opportunity to look at the books on my Kindle. As I was scrolling through, I came across a little book written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible, which was originally published in 1940. Bonhoeffer felt the Psalms teach Christians how to pray in all of life's seasons—including times of suffering, guilt, and lament—as well as times of praise and thanksgiving.

This week, the Revised Common Lectionary has assigned Psalm 119 for our readings. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. Bonhoeffer says this about the psalm:

Psalm 119 becomes especially difficult for us, perhaps because of its length and monotony. In this case, a rather slow, quiet, patient advance from word to word, from sentence to sentence, is helpful.

Here are verses 33-34 from Eugene Peterson’s The Message:

God, teach me lessons for living
    so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
    my whole life one long, obedient response.

When a friend of mine was going through a particularly difficult time, another friend told her, “Wrap yourself in the Psalms.” If you find yourself without words to pray or what to say, read through Psalm 119.

See you in church!