Praying the Scriptures
Thursday Evening Prayer
July 17, 2025
The spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. (Isaiah 61:1–2)
O Lord my God,
The sun has slipped behind Red Mountain, leaving the desert hushed and golden in memory. Long shadows stretch across the earth like gentle hands laid in blessing. I sit in this quiet, the creosote bushes motionless, the air cooling against my skin. There’s a fragrance rising from the earth—the scent of dust and sage, of a day that has surrendered to night.
Above me, the first stars begin to pierce the indigo sky—one here, then another—and I feel as though heaven is slowly opening its eyes.
Here, in this sacred stillness, I remember Your words:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.”
Lord, I do not always feel worthy of such an anointing, and yet—I know You call me still. You have placed something holy within me, not for my sake alone, but for those who mourn, who ache, who sit in their own kind of twilight. Use me to speak good news, to bind what has been broken, to proclaim release where chains remain unseen.
Tonight, as the breeze whispers low through the mesquite, I bring You the wounds I carry. Some are mine. Some belong to others I love. But all of them, Lord, I lay before You now, trusting that You still comfort the brokenhearted, still rebuild ruins, still declare Your favor in places long abandoned by hope.
I breathe in the peace of this desert night, and I feel Your presence as sure as the stars above me. Let that same Spirit that stirred the prophets stir in me again. Give me courage to walk in the calling You’ve placed upon my life, not with noise, but with quiet faithfulness.
Thank You, Lord, for the renewal You bring—not in loud fanfare, but in soft moments like this, where darkness meets light, and I remember that You are near.
Amen.
May the peace of the Anointed One rest upon you tonight, guiding your heart with healing, hope, and the quiet assurance of God’s abiding favor.
The Bible passages come from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyrighted © 1989, 1993 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America and are used by permission. All rights reserved. Praying the Scriptures is penned daily by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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