I Prayed have prayed
Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your Word. Use it to bless us and everyone with whom we interact in our daily lives.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In a prophetic dream I had, God said: “Stand on a public sidewalk and do psalm readings for people who walk nearby.” When God gives me a direction, I do not ask why.

Find out when your state prays.

 

As I processed His words, I thought: “The book of Psalms and a sign with the words ‘Psalm Readings’ would be needed; an umbrella, for rain or sunny weather; and invite a friend to help, pray, and laugh together.”

After the sign was made, it was time to choose a shady location in a high-foot-traffic area. The site of a church founded in 1840 and with a wrought-iron gate and some concrete steps seemed the perfect setting. The Psalm readers could stand on the sidewalk or the steps.

Tourists and locals walking by would smile and chuckle as they read the sign.

Some might stop and ask, “How does this work?”

“Pick a number between 1 and 150,” I’d tell them.

I said that to one woman, who replied, “34.”

So I turned to Psalm 34.

“Now, pick a number between 1 and 22.” (Psalm 34 has 22 verses.)

The woman responded, “18.”

So I read out: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV).

Upon hearing that, the lady had tears in her eyes. She was recently divorced, she explained, and those words of the Lord in that psalm brought comfort to her heart. After we shared some prayer and a few hugs, the woman smiled and went off to continue her shopping.

These psalm readings offer opportunities for praying, encouraging, comforting, laughing, crying, healing, and hearing God’s voice. When people choose their numbers, God faithfully matches a psalm and a verse to meet their needs at the right time. A few examples:

Psalm 143:8 — for help in making decisions;

Psalm 24:1 — for blessings with finances;

Psalm 115:14 — for blessings on family;

Psalm 134:3 — for finding joy in all of God’s blessings.

How have the Psalms blessed you or someone you know? Share your testimonies of the power of God’s Word below.

(Loretta Gibson leads IFA’s Hawaii state prayer group. Photo Credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash)

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Angie Jorgensen
February 5, 2024

I love this, thank you for being so obedient! I want to have that type of obedience without hesitation.

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Darlene Estlow
February 5, 2024

What a beautiful moment when she chose the verse she needed. God is good. What a beautiful idea: a Psalm reading. Thank you Jesus for your creativity!

5
Missy Dice
February 4, 2024

What a great Holy Ghost idea and your boldness to do it! What a great act of love. Blessings!

11
Susan CC
February 4, 2024

Thank you Loretta, I love this!

For weeks during August 1995, Hurricane Felix stormed up and down the East Coast. It never made landfall but its wind and waves created havoc throughout that time. My husband was a merchant seaman and he was on a tanker (ship) with a route from NY to St. Croix. I had no cell phone, 2 small boys, too many well meaning phone calls which stoked even more anxiety, and a young faith. One morning I sat before my Bible and challenged the Lord to tell me something to quell my fear. When I opened it, my eyes were drawn to the top of the page and I read:

23Some went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.
27They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
28Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
29He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea b were hushed.
30They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

I cried and thanked Him. My fear was removed in that instant and replaced with peace. This experience stoked my commitment to prayer and the Lord is persistent in providing personal experiences to built up faith and reliance on HIM alone. Dietrich Bonhoeffer called the Psalms the Prayerbook of the Bible, I agree and continue to seek the Psalms to guide my prayers.

18
    DC
    February 4, 2024

    Amen . Psalm 107. I love the refrain as much as I love how He singularly meets me as if I am/was the only one in need. Such a great testimony to His faithfulness and depth of knowledge to who and where we are.

    I agree. The Psalms are the Prayerbook of the Bible.

    Blessings and peace be upon your house.

    DC

    11
Brenda N
February 4, 2024

What a great way to deliver truth to people who are obviously “open to spiritual things” but had been looking for the wrong source! Thank you Loretta for the great idea! The Spirit delivers the message they need!

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Linda
February 4, 2024

Yes, that is true. I agree with you Karen Psalms ifuture is our future.
The pond the Palm hand reading is a bunch of bull. There is nothing better than our Lord Jesus Christ. To tell us our future in the word of God in Jesus Christ’s name. At 1 time over here where I live in this city. We were having an An event in downtown, and there was this little boy passing out cards to people who were in the event so that they can go to his mother and read their poem for their future. And I told that little boy that there is someone better than that. Who can tell us our future and he said who. And I said the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Karen Stavrinakis
February 4, 2024

Thank You Father for this great idea and for Loretta carrying it out so faithfully. Thank You for the Psalms that bring us life support daily!

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Psalm 24:5

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