This coming Sunday we will begin a new series in the Psalms, Pour Out Your Heart to Him: A Study in the Psalms.

In this book of God-inspired prayers, we find mingled together both praises to God and prayers for those who don’t know Him.

In Psalm 67, for example, the writer prays for God to be gracious to His people in order that many from every nation would know of His saving power:

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.

Here we see that joy in God overflows in prayer for others to know that same joy. It’s actually the nature of joy to do this. But this is not just true of the happier Psalms. For example, David does the same thing in his prayer of deep confession in Psalm 51, when he prays, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”

On this side of the cross, we can pray to God boldly because of Christ’s work on our behalf. Our salvation is indeed a salvation of great joy. So, let’s join David and the writer of Psalm 67 in praying for many to know this joy with us.

In fact, given that we are at the start of a new series, this is a great opportunity for you to invite a friend or family member to join us on Sunday. So, bring a friend with you to church and let’s pray for the Lord to answer the prayer of Psalm 67 in the lives of those we love.