From the Inside Out – The Presidential Prayer Team

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! – Psalm 103:1

Today’s verse and the entirety of the psalm in the recommended reading is all about praise! King David begins by looking inward – a self-examination – when he instructs all within him to praise the Lord. True praise and worship of the Lord must come from within and work its way out. Your soul is the essence of your personality; it is what makes you unique. The expressions of your soul begin from the inside.

David continues with, “All that is within me.” His whole being is acknowledging the Lord in gratitude. As you work your way through this incredible song of praise, God is acknowledged as a pardoner, a physician, a redeemer, a benefactor, a judge, a chastiser, as One who is measureless, Creator and King forever. As you praise Him, yourself melts away and all there is is God. Self-centeredness disappears as you identify the greatness and glory of God.

Pray today for those attending churches in America who struggle to praise God wholeheartedly. Whether they have never met the Savior personally, or they are allowing sin to reign within (Romans 6), ask that the Lord would meet them where they are and draw them to Him. Intercede for pastors and teachers in U.S. churches to preach Christ crucified, risen, glorified, and coming again. Pray for justices and judges in the nation’s courts to hear the true message of the gospel and respond with the deepest praise that comes from the inside out.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 103:1

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
²Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
¹⁷But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
¹⁹The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of his word!
²¹Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
    his ministers, who do his will!
²²Bless the Lord, all his works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!