Growing up we enjoyed a tool to help pass the time on our trips. Long before streaming music, we made our own mixtapes to enjoy our music. A great mixtape maker would think through the trip and select songs that were going to create the mood they envisioned on their journey. When God put together His songbook, He created His own road trip mixtape. The Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120-134,were Israel’s songs for traveling to the festivals. They stand as praises to God and teaching tools to remind all pilgrims of who they were in God and what He had done for them. Three times a year,Israel gathered in Jerusalem for the festivals of Passover, Pentecost, and the First Fruits. This collection of songs for the road provides us with the songs we need as we join with fellow Christians and travel together through this world. God went to great lengths to include a mix of themes and circumstances to help us navigate all we will face. Some of the Psalms give words to our deep pains and questions (lament) while others teach us how to celebrate our great God. Through these Psalms, we will pray in thanksgiving, praise in confidence in God, and remind each other of God’s wisdom. Let’s hit the road! 
 

This prayer guide is divided into two formats. A simple and ready-to-use prayer guide with a set of prompts pulled directly from the scriptures, as well as an exposition of the text for teachers and preachers to dive into.  
 

The first part of each guide is formatted with the Lord’s Prayer model. This pattern of prayer was labeled 4/4 by Daniel Henderson in his helpful book Transforming Prayer. Taking the model prayer that Jesus gave us, we see at least four movements of prayer.  

1. Reverence - Hallowed By Your Name. The first movement of prayer is always praise. Because of who God is, we know our prayers will be heard and answered. Skipping praise in our prayer robs us of time spent with the Father where we simply seek Him and not just what He can do for us.  

1. Response - Thy Kingdom, Thy Will. When we read scripture, we are hearing from God. He has given us promises that we can cling to and instructions we must obey. Praying for His will to be done means we lay down our wills. Each passage will challenge us to surrender, trust Him, confess sin, and to lay our lives before Him.  

1. Requests- Give Us This Day. God knows what you need. He is never surprised to find out that you are facing a challenging situation. We are invited to cast all our cares on Him. Taking His promises from the scriptures gives confidence to our prayers, knowing we are coming before a faithful loving God who does listen and work. Use God’s promises and Word in your prayer life. It will transform your requests.  

1. Readiness - Lead Us. We do not leave the presence of God, but we will head out from a focused time of prayer, and life awaits. Based on what God has revealed in His Word, we close by praying for His will. Since we already know what He wants to do by what He has said through scripture, this is not just a request for our desires, it is a confident declaration of faith and surrender to God's will for our lives.  

The second part of each guide includes exposition helps, teaching ideas, and helps for teachers and preachers. Use this to meditate on the text before you lead the time of prayer. This section concludes with an expositional prayer guide for your meditation and prayer time. If the Bible is God’s Word to us and prayer is our words to God, let Him start the conversation. Enjoy talking with God about whatis on His heart for your life.  

Psalms 120   
“In this world you will have…” 

You remember what Jesus said. The Psalmist is in the middle of that pain and trouble. Believers are not promised pain and problem-free lives. The difference between a believer in pain and a non-believer is that the Christian knows where to look for help.  

Our God hears and He will answer! 

Read this psalm and look at what this writer was facing. This pilgrim laments over the lies he suffered, but in the midst of pain, he expresses confidence in God’s answer to prayer.  He continues pouring out his heart to God while sojourning to Jerusalem, leaving behind the lies and violence.  He is tired of living with violent people, so he says, “I am for peace,” as he ascends to Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is known as the “City of Peace” and also “The Foundation of Peace.” 

 Hint: When leading a group, do not try to use all of these, but pick one or two from each section. 

1)    Reverence – Who is God? 

1. Praiseworthy attributes from this Psalm;  God is my help in time of trouble (verses 1-2); God answers my prayers (verses 1-2); God delivers me from trouble (verse 2); God’s desire is that I commune with Him (Prayers of Ascent).
2. I praise You for being my Deliverer (v. 2) when ___________ (cite the experience, situation); 
3. I worship You because You answered (v. 1) me in my plea for help during______________; 
4. I adore You because You are a God that wants to commune with me (theme of Songs of Ascent) and have a relationship with me by____________.

2)    Response – How should I respond? 

1. Since You deliver/answer me, I can __________________(e.g. trust You more, turn to You for all things).
2. Because You want to have a relationship with me, I will ____________________ (e.g. abide in You, pray to You unceasingly, devote myself to Scripture).
3. Forgive me when I do not rely on You in times of need. I go to ______________ before I go to You.

3)    Request – What should I pray about (resources and relationships)? 

1. Resources - The pressures of this world (verses 5-7) _________________(list them; e.g., lies) overwhelm us. Help _________ (name) not to fall to _________________. 
2. Relationships – Lies (verse 2) have been spoken about ______________. Help _________________ to forgive and love them as You call your people to love friends and enemies alike.

4)    Readiness 

1. I need You so I will not fall when the world encroaches with ______________________ (what are the world’s values, attitudes, acts that tempt you?).
2. Help me to draw close to You by________________ (actions, heart attitudes, or goals), so I am no longer distant from You.

5)    End in Reverence as you exalt the God who answers, delivers, and wants to have a relationship with me. 

Thank you for showing me your saving power when…

I will tell _______ of how you saved me, thank you Lord. 

Lead  me / __________ through …

I will keep my eyes on you as I face…

The God Who Answers and Delivers 

1)    God Answers (1) 

1. He answers: God’s faithfulness (1c)
2. In my time of need (distress): circumstance (1a)
3. When I call: my part/role (1b)
4. There is history – I call; God answers. 
5. Reminder of God’s faithfulness. 

2)    Deliverance from the world (2-4); encroachment of the world 

1. Plea – Deliver Me, Oh Lord (2)
2. Source of deliverance is the Lord 
3. Situation - Plea for help from lies (2) 
4. Lips (2b) 
5. Tongue: emphasis (2c) 
6. Lies – characteristic of the world; 
7. People lie for their own benefit; to deflect blame; or are not self-aware 
8. What is the result of those who lie (3)?
9. Answer – Warrior’s sharp arrows and burning coal (Some scholars debate whether the liar is deserving of such or do their lies inflict the psalmist)

3)    Distance from Jerusalem and God (5-7) 

1. Living in Meshech and Kedar (Foreign Lands) – apart from Jerusalem and therefore from God (5a and 5b)
2. Although the psalmist is for peace, the inhabitants are for war (6-7) - opposing values

1)    Verse 1 - Recall a time when God delivered you. Give thanks for His past answer to your prayers. 

2)    Verse 2 - What situation are you facing now that needs deliverance by God? The world is encroaching on me as I face the pressure of ___________ (work, finances, broken relationships, temptation), so God, deliver me from __________________ (anger, depression, anxiety, etc…). 

3)    Verses 3-4 – If I were to affirm worldly values and live accordingly, what are the results? Who did I hurt? Example – God, if I lied to get a promotion, whose idea did I take (steal)? Would I need to lie again to cover up the first lie? Did I treat my co-worker with love? 

4)    Verses 5-6 - Admit your distance to God… I have not _________________ (been in Your Word, spent time praying corporately, led devotions with my family). 

5)    Verse 7 – Align yourself to God and His specific character and define from which worldly attributes you need deliverance. 

1. How does the world’s temptation differ from God’s standard? For instance, people lie to deflect blame at my workplace. God, You do not lie. In fact, You are truth. Let me live according to the truth.

1)    Main Idea - Distance from God allows for encroachment from the world and attacks that are contrary to godly values, beliefs, and acts; Therefore, we need to draw close to God. 

2)    Results of Becoming like the World - Be self-aware; See yourself, others, and situations with honesty and truth; Do not lie to yourself. Without truth, criticisms become personal attacks, and there is no basis for self-correction. You see the world only from a corrupt lens, and actions are based on half-truths. Only in Christ through the Holy Spirit is this possible. So draw close to Him. Be close to God, in His presence. 

3)    Practice - God is truth; He does not lie; Therefore, we must abide in Christ to prevent being swept up by this world. 

1)    Main Idea - Distance from God allows for encroachment from the world and attacks that are contrary to godly values, beliefs, and acts; Therefore, we need to draw close to God. 

2)    Results of Becoming like the World - Be self-aware; See yourself, others, and situations with honesty and truth; Do not lie to yourself. Without truth, criticisms become personal attacks, and there is no basis for self-correction. You see the world only from a corrupt lens, and actions are based on half-truths. Only in Christ through the Holy Spirit is this possible. So draw close to Him. Be close to God, in His presence. 

3)    Practice - God is truth; He does not lie; Therefore, we must abide in Christ to prevent being swept up by this world. 

Lord’s Prayer (4/4) Prompt 

1)    Reverence – Who is God? 

1. Praiseworthy attributes from this Psalm. God is my help (v. 2); God is creator (v. 2) God keeps me from stumbling (v. 3); God continually watches over me (verse 3-4); The Lord is your keeper (verses 3-5,7-8) God is sovereign (verses 2-8); God is my protector; God keeps me from evil; God is always protecting me
2. I praise You for being sovereign (v. 3-8) so that even as I face ___________ (cite the experience, situation), You are in control.
3. I adore You for keeping me from stumbling (verse 3) during______________.
4. I exalt You as the God who constantly watches over me (verse 3-4) so that even in  ____________ (name of situation), I am not alone.

2)    Response – How should I respond? 

1. Since You are sovereign, I can ____________________ (e.g. rejoice, be secure, have peace) even when I face _________________ (situation).
2. Help me to live without anxiety or fear in ____________________ because You watch over me.
3. I so often trust in ____________________________ instead of You. Forgive me and help me to trust that You _______________________.

3)    Request – What should I pray about (resources and relationships)? 

1. Resources – I am anxious about __________________. Give me greater faith to trust that You are Lord over all (verses 3-8).  
2. Relationships – _____________________ (name) is going through a difficult time and is fearful and full of anxiety in ______________________. Let _________________ know You are near and that You ________________________ (e.g. protect him, love him) 

4)    Readiness 

1. I am tempted to live by my own strength in __________________. Help me to rely on You that __________________ (e.g. You will deliver me, etc.). 
2. I live victoriously and with joy because You protect me from ________________________.

5)    End in Reverence to praise the God that helps, watches, and protects at all times and in every way. 

God is our Keeper 

1)    Our Keeper - We can turn to the Lord for help (1) 

1. My acknowledgment that God is my help (1a-b).  
2. God is able to help because all of creation is under His dominion since He is the Creator (2)

2)    Our Keeper - God is ever vigilant (3-4) 

1. As we journey to Jerusalem, the Lord watches our every step (3a)
2. The Lord is constantly watching over us as He does not slumber (3b, 4)
3. The example of God keeping Israel (4)

3)    Our Keeper - The Lord is our protector (5-8) 

1. The Lord is with us (5)
2. The extent of His protection is all-encompassing (6).
3. God is with us at all times – sun and moon (6)
4. The sphere of his protection is all-encompassing (7-8).
5. God is with us in every situation.
6. From evil, and your life (7)
7. Your steps now and forever (8)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. 

    From where does my help come?  

Father, I will look to You for help and not _____________. 

My help comes from You because You are _____________. 

I thank You for being my helper when _________________. 

2 My help comes from the Lord, 

    who made heaven and earth. 

You made the heaven and earth, my problem of ___________ is no match for Your power over _____________. 

3 He will not let your foot be moved; 

    he who keeps you will not slumber. 

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel 

    will neither slumber nor sleep. 

I praise You that even though I grow weary, You will never stop ________________. 

5 The Lord is your keeper; 

    the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 

6 The sun shall not strike you by day, 

    nor the moon by night. 

I rejoice that You are my keeper, and my life is not held together by my own _____________. 

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; 

    he will keep your life. 

Keep me from the evil of ___________ that I am tempted with.  

8 The Lord will keep 

    your going out and your coming in 

    from this time forth and forevermore. 

Because You keep my life, I will walk forward in confidence today as I face _____________. 

If the Lord is our help and protector, then why do I go through trials and suffer? Why is pain a constant companion? Disappointment? The answer is God has allowed us to go through difficult and trying circumstances. If this is the case, and this passage clearly states it is, then we should not allow the crucible to end until it finishes and completes its work in you (James 1:2-8). Perhaps, it is these trials that drive you to God and perfects our faith; then God heals because all you needed was Him (Psalm 34:18, Psalms 147:3).  

Moreover, regardless of the circumstance, God is still worthy to be worshipped (Habakkuk 3:17). 
Our circumstances do not determine who He is and whether He is worthy to be worshipped. He is always worthy to be worshipped in good or calamitous times.   

“Give thanks to God that He is there, no matter what is happening” ~ Oswald Chambers 

“When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted friendship - when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.” ~ Oswald Chambers