Today, read through the passage for the week again (Psalm 22:22-31). Then read through Nan Merrill's interpretation of the same passage below. Choose one and pray from it today OR write your own poem/prayer inspired by this passage.
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.
I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.
Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust. Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.
I will tell of your Name to all I meet,
in the midst of assemblies I will praise You;
You w ho are in wonder of the Mystery, give praise!
For our loving Creator does not turn away from the afflicted,
and does not hide from them;
But their cries are heard, their prayers arise to heaven.
To You, O Beloved, I lift up my voice in the great congregation;
for You promise to remain with those whose love is steadfast.
The hungry shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek You shall sing praises!
Your Heart our swelling place forever!
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Love's way;
And all the families of the nations shall bow down with grateful hearts.
For power and authority belong to the Most High, who rules over the nations.
Yes, to the Most High shall all the proud of the earth be humbled;
before the Creator shall all bow who go down to the dust and who cannot sustain their lives.
Posterity shall know and serve Love, telling of the One who abides in all to the coming generations,
And proclaiming deliverance to a people yet unborn that the Most High dwells among us.