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Psalm 80:1-7   
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful. You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. 

Israel was in a dire situation. Enemies had invaded the country and left it devastated. Without God’s help they were doomed. Maybe you feel the same way today. Make Asaph’s prayer your own.

Restore me. Devastating situations, even those of our own making, knock the props from under our lives. Circumstances set us back in our journeys. Things we built are destroyed. Progress we made is lost. We need restoration.

Father, I feel that my life looks like the nation of Israel after the enemies invaded. My home is in disrepair. Relationships have been damaged. My walk with You has been interrupted. I confess my sins before You. Please forgive me. I bring to You the rubble of my life. I ask that You rebuild it. I ask that You restore the joy that I once had living in harmony with You.

Make Your face shine on me. Tough times can make us feel like we are living outside of God’s sight. This prayer asks that God show His favor to us and shine on us with His approval. 

Father, where I am and what I have done has not been in line with Your will or instruction. I am sorry. Forgive me. Let me experience Your grace. Remind me again that I am Your child. Let me know Your favor. Shine Your approval on me, not because of who I am but because of whose I am in Christ. I long to feel Your smile on my life again.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.