A Prayer for Repentance
By Chelsey DeMatteis
Bible Reading:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” - Psalm 91:1-2
Read or Listen Below:
As a new believer, I was still in the early stages of understanding what it meant to bring all things to the Lord, and I mean all of it: the good, the bad, the seemingly ridiculous, and the downright ugliest parts of who I was. God used the Psalms penned by David as an example for me to live by and later as a guide to share with those around me.
As I grew to love the Word of God, I found myself writing Psalms repeatedly. Psalms 91 and 119 became anthems of song to me. They steadied my heart, called me to repentance, and reminded me how much my Heavenly Father loves me.
Psalm 91:16 says, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress, my God, whom I trust.” He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
This portion of scripture tells us that those of us who dwell in the tender, loving care of our Savior will always be safe. Though the trials and tribulations of this world will happen, we can rest in and trust that God is holding all things together. He tells us that He is a shield to us and that we need not be afraid of the darts the enemy of this world shoots our way—because we are sealed and saved by the Highest.
Psalm 119 has been another anchor to my Spirit over the years. It calls my heart to repentance and then leads me into praise. It reminds me how big God is and what a gift it is to be His daughter.
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, seek him with their whole heart, and do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!” - Psalm 119:1-8
Do you see what a gift these Psalms are to our hearts as we walk with Jesus? They tell us who God is, what He desires for our lives, and the blessings we receive as we walk rightly with Him. I’m incredibly thankful for the leadership and guidance of those women who studied these scriptures years ago.
As you walk in the ways of the Lord, be steadfast in the pursuit of His Word. It will lead and guide you to a deeper understanding of your Father’s heart and give you a glimpse into all He desires for your life.
Let’s Pray:
Father, thank you for the gift of your Word. Please help me have understanding and wisdom as I take the time to study scripture to understand better who you are and who you’ve called me to be. Lead my heart to a place of repentance and praise. Grow in me a boldness to share your truth with those around me and give me the words to tell them about the glorious grace they can receive by walking with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/AntonioGuillem
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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Originally published Sunday, 18 May 2025.
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