An Encouragement to Pray Psalm 139 (ESV)
“My Swiss Army Knife for Life and Prayer”
Sometimes we struggle to know how to pray, especially in moments of deep joy, sorrow, confusion, or fatigue. The words don’t come easily. That’s when Scripture becomes our framework, a steady guide, a voice when we cannot find our own.
Psalm 139, in particular, has become for many a kind of Swiss Army knife for prayer. It meets you wherever you are, celebrating life, enduring loss, wrestling with identity, or seeking direction, and it gives you language to talk to God honestly and reverently.
Why Pray Psalm 139?
• When Life Is Good
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (v.14)
Use this to thank God for His blessings—children, grandchildren, health, provision, and the wonder of being His creation.
• When You Feel Lost or Overwhelmed
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (v.7)
These words remind you that no matter where life takes you, God goes before you and stays with you.
• When Darkness Closes In
“Even the darkness is not dark to you…” (v.12)
You can pray this when facing grief, depression, fear, or uncertainty, trusting that God sees clearly when you do not.
• When You’re Seeking to Grow Spiritually
“Search me, O God, and know my heart… lead me in the way everlasting!” (vv.23–24)
Pray this when asking God to refine you, guide your decisions, and root out sin or pride.
• When You Need to Trust God’s Plan
“In your book were written… the days that were formed for me…” (v.16)
These verses offer peace and assurance that your life is not random—it’s authored by a loving, sovereign God.
A Sample Prayer from Psalm 139
A few days ago, I was invited to hear the testimonies of three women in our Healing Hearts ministry and to pray for them. I was told that these women had experienced abortion and other challenges. I struggled with how to pray for them. How to encourage them. With permission from our Healing Hearts team, below is the prayer that I shared.
Psalm 139 Prayer for Women who have gone through trials and have overcome.
Dear Sisters in Christ, the Lord has searched you and knows you. He has seen every tear, every moment of pain, every silent cry of your heart. And still, He calls you fearfully and wonderfully made.
What you’ve walked through has been hard. But it has not been wasted. In every trial, He was with you. In every shadow, His hand held you fast. You were never alone.
You are not only surviving, you are becoming stronger. What the enemy meant for harm, God is using to shape you into a vessel of His glory. Your scars are not signs of defeat, but of healing, courage, and the faithfulness of your Creator.
You are emerging from the fire refined, not broken. He is rebuilding you with grace, and your story will be a light to others walking in darkness.
You are deeply known. You are deeply loved. And by His grace, you are healing.
Amen.
Perhaps there are some reading this encouragement, women and men, who needed to hear these words and were blessed. If so, our Healing Hearts ministry is there for you, and so is our Biblical Counseling ministry. They are doing amazing work.
Dear Berean, whether you’re standing on a mountaintop or walking through the valley, let Psalm 139 be your prayer. Let it give you words when you have none. Like a spiritual Swiss Army knife, it’s always ready, always useful, and always points you to the God who knows you perfectly and loves you still.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Terry B
