Tag Archives: Prayer

More Endorsements

02 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Psalms

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Here are a few more endorsement of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer — the winner of both a Word Award in the devotional/inspirational category, and the Grace Irwin Best Book of the Year Award.
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David Kitz writes with a heart that wants to worship God, and he invites us all to join in through his writings. His daily reflections on the Psalms are practical and make you want to love our God and Savior more.

Jimmy Li, Pastor & blogger for Veritas Domain

For more than twenty years David Kitz has been my friend, colleague, and fellow member in a weekly men’s fellowship group. He has always demonstrated his passion to know and make manifest God’s Word in his life, to draw close to the heart of his Father. In other words, he is a man after God’s own heart, which is so clearly evident in this new daily devotions book. I have had the distinct privilege of reading these devotions through David’s blog in preparation for this new publication. Each devotion will inspire and provide the reader with biblical insights and life applications, through a daily call to prayer, worship, obedience, thanksgiving, and meditation on God’s Word. May this book help to strengthen, heal, and encourage all who read it!

Don MacGregor
Leader, Next Level Ministries

For a closer look at Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer click here.

An Overtime Victory

21 Thursday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 28, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Psalm 28b -365Reading: Psalm 28:6-9

LORD God,
help me to grasp the full extent of the victory
I have in you.
Now I ask you to hear my prayer,
“Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
Amen.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

Does God Hear Me When I Pray?

19 Tuesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 27, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 27:7-14
Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
Be merciful to me and answer me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger;
You have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
Though my mother and father forsake me,
The LORD will receive me.
Teach me your way, O LORD;
Lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
For false witnesses rise up against me breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (NIV).*

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Through the open window of prayer — Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Is God listening? Do I have His full attention? Is He even there? Even people of great faith ask questions such as these. Listen to David’s plea, “Hear my voice when I call, O LORD.”

David’s psalms are replete with calls for God to listen and then quickly respond to his cries for help. These pleas for a listening ear happen with such frequency throughout the Book of Psalms that one can be forgiven for wondering if God is deaf. In our minds we know this is an absurd proposition. He who formed the ear can surely hear the faintest whispered prayer or unvoiced thought. But despite what our intellect knows, we still plead for His listening ear. Along with David we cry out, “Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.”

I suspect the problem in prayer is not that we are speaking to a deaf God, but rather we, the petitioners, are deaf to God’s answers. The patriarchs and prophets of old heard the voice of God. They conversed with the LORD Almighty. Many of these conversations are recorded verbatim in the Old Testament. A fine example of this is found in Exodus as Moses speaks with the LORD at the burning bush.

Have we lost the ability to hear God? Has a great collective deafness settled across humanity?

In a cold world filled with rejection, there is a God. There is a God of mercy the lonely soul can turn to. There is One who understands. There is One who listens to our anguished prayers. David discovered and knew that reality. We can join with David and say, “Though my mother and father forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”

Response: LORD God, this is my confession, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” I will, “Wait for the LORD.” I will, “Be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Amen.

Your Turn: Are there times when you doubt God is listening to your prayers? How do you know He is there? Has the LORD spoken to your heart?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

LORD, Teach Me Your Paths

08 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 25, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Psalm 25_7Reading: Psalm 25:1-7

LORD,
this is my prayer:
Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Amen.

Volume III of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here. Journey through the Psalms in a year.

Guidance for Your Life

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalms, Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

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Do you need guidance for your life? Have you established spiritually healthy patterns for worship and prayer? How can you develop a closer walk with the Good Shepherd?

Award-winning author, David Kitz, explores the answers to these questions in this 265 page devotional book.

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Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer; Volume I by Elk Lake Publishing is the first book in a three volume set. The three volumes take you through all 150 Psalms in the Bible with a devotional reading for every day of the year.

Volume I of this trilogy has won the Grace Irwin Prize, Canada’s largest literary award for writers who are Christian.

In his endorsement of David Kitz’s trilogy, internationally renowned author and humorist Phil Callaway states, “I’m not certain I’d be alive without the Psalms. While my wife was losing her family to Huntington’s disease we lived in its inspiring pages. We still do. David’s devotional is a welcome companion on this journey, particularly for those needing a fresh shot of hope.”

During trying times such as these with a raging pandemic, perhaps we all need a fresh shot of hope.

David Kitz’s books are available through Amazon. Simply enter his name in the search bar.

Are You Speaking Words of Blessing?

23 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in Psalm 20, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 20
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
Now this I know:
The LORD gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
 LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV)*

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The North Saskatchewan River Valley near Langham, SK — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
There’s an old saying that’s attributed to St. Augustine, “Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you.” Here in Psalm 20, in the form of a prayer David captures the essence of that thought. But David is not praying for himself. He is praying for your success. Hear his words: May he [the LORD] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

David’s prayer on behalf of others brings a measure of conviction to my heart. How much time do I spend praying for the success of others? I tend to be rather selfish in my prayer requests. Do I want personal victories more than corporate or team success? Am I earnest in my desire to see others grow and prosper or is there a root of jealous envy that restricts my prayers on their behalf? Do I speak words of blessing over those around me? Do I inwardly rejoice when my brother stumbles, because it leaves me looking successful where he has failed?

The opening half of this psalm is intended as a spoken blessing over the life of my brother, sister, or friend. Take a moment right now and substitute your friend’s name into this Psalm wherever the word you appears. Now speak the opening lines of this psalm as a blessing over your friend’s life. Finally, trust in the LORD your God to work on behalf of your friend or family member. We serve a God who brings victory.

Response: Heavenly Father, I repent of jealousy and envy. Help me speak words of blessing over those around me. I trust you. You are the true source of health and blessing in this world. Amen.

Your Turn: Whose life can you speak God’s blessing into today? Are there family members, friends or colleagues that need the blessing of God?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Volume III of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. Journey through the Psalms in a year. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

Journey through the Psalms

18 Saturday Sep 2021

Posted by in Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

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Now you can journey through the Psalms in a year with this beautiful three-book set available in both paperback and Kindle formats. These daily devotions take you to the heart of David, the man after God’s own heart.

The Psalms are the biblical fount of worship and prayer. Learn to drink deeply from these life-giving waters. Here you will find guidance for your daily walk with the Lord. In these pages, you will acquaint yourself with the voice of the Good Shepherd. Allow him to gently lead you to the verdant pastures of his Word.
3 book set

Psalms 365 is specifically designed to help you develop a life that is anchored in worship and prayer. Build your life on the Rock, Christ Jesus.

For a closer look at this three-book series click here.

Journey through the Psalms in a Year

08 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

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3 book set

Now you can journey through the Psalms in a year with this beautiful three-book set available in both paperback and Kindle formats. These daily devotions take you to the heart of David, the man after God’s own heart.

The Psalms are the biblical fount of worship and prayer. Learn to drink deeply from these life-giving waters. Here you will find guidance for your daily walk with the Lord. In these pages, you will acquaint yourself with the voice of the Good Shepherd. Allow him to lead you to the verdant pastures of his Word.

Psalms 365 is specifically designed to help you develop a life that is anchored in worship and prayer.

For a closer look at this three-book series click here.

A Full Year of Devotions in the Psalms

22 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Psalms, Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

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3 book set

Now you can journey through the Psalms in a year with this beautiful three-book set available in both paperback and Kindle formats. These daily devotions take you to the heart of David, the man after God’s own heart.

The Psalms are the biblical fount of worship and prayer. Learn to drink deeply from these life-giving waters. Here you will find guidance for your daily walk with the Lord. In these pages, you will acquaint yourself with the voice of the Good Shepherd. Allow him to lead you to the verdant pastures of his Word.

Psalms 365 is specifically designed to help you develop a life that is anchored in worship and prayer.

For a closer look at this three-book series click here.

Poured Out before the LORD

17 Tuesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 6
For the director of music. With stringed instruments.
According to sheminith. A psalm of David.
LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint;
heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?
Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?
I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.
All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame (NIV).*

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Bilberry Creek — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
The life of a God-follower isn’t all happy days and sunny skies, as some preachers might have you believe. On the contrary, hard times and grief may frequent our way. Does that mean we are out of the will of God? Has God abandoned us during these times of inner turmoil, struggle and hardship?

Judging by the life and experience of David as expressed through the psalms, the answer is a resounding, “No.” God has not abandoned you.

David met with God during these times of difficulty. He poured out his complaint before the LORD. He pleaded with God; he held nothing back. Take a look at some of the keywords in this psalm: agony, anguish, groaning, weeping, tears, and sorrow. David experienced all these emotions. He didn’t bottle them up. He poured them out before the LORD in prayer.

Many believers suffer from a form of spiritual constipation. They are filled with anger, hurt and bitter disappointment. Life has been hard, but they are afraid to take their anguish before God. They put on a brave face for the world and the church, but inwardly they are dying. They need a massive dose of the Psalms of David—psalms of self-emptying—pouring out their heart.

Fear not; God can handle your anguish and anger. He won’t smite you dead for being honest about your feelings. Here is some sound advice. Are you hurt or feeling broken? Take it to the Lord in prayer. Then take heart from what David says in the conclusion to this psalm, “The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.“

Response: Dear God, I pour out my problems, hurts and struggles before you. Hear my prayer. I know you are a God of mercy. I open myself to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you bottling up things that should be released to the Lord? Does heartfelt prayer bring relief?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Volume III of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. Journey through the Psalms in a year. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.