Prayer for a Steadfast Heart:Psalm 57-Supplication through the Scriptures

Prayer for a Steadfast Heart

Psalm 57

We may in times of great straits expect mercies of a remarkable kind.
Charles Spurgeon


In the book of Philippians, Paul is writing to the Philippians while he sits in jail. He loves them deeply and desires that they continue to pursue Christ. He knows they are suffering and yet he encourages them that this is a gracious gift given to them in order that they may know Christ more deeply (Philippians 1:29; 3:10). He himself is suffering but rejoicing even in his imprisonment. And he tells them he is pressing on and straining forward “toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). He is able to press on, to remain steadfast and diligent, “because Christ has made me his own” (3:12). Christ had made Paul his own. 

If we are in Christ today it is because Christ has made us His own. He has purchased us with His precious blood. He has redeemed us from the power of sin and death. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Himself. There is no condemnation for us in Him. Because He has made us His own, we are clothed in His righteousness and now able to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence. We are His own and no one can snatch us from His hand and He loses none of His own sheep. Because He has made us His own, we can glory in our weakness knowing that His power will be perfected in that weakness. 

These truths should fill our hearts with such confidence that we can say with David in Psalm 57:7, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.” I am standing firmly and unwaveringly in Him. I am immovable in the face of affliction because I am His. I am steadfast because He is my refuge and in the shadow of His wings I take refuge (57:1). I am steadfast because God fulfills all His purposes for my life (57:2). I am steadfast because He will send from heaven and save me and send out His faithfulness and love (57:3). In the storms of destruction or in the midst of lions, I am steadfast because Christ has made me His own. He will not permit the righteous to be moved. 

Pray through Psalm 57 for a steadfast heart based on confidence in our God, whose steadfast love is great to the heavens and His faithfulness to the clouds (57:10). 

God Fulfills His Purpose for Me

57:1-5 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! 
Let’s pray:
▫️The Lord would pour out His mercy on us today to meet this day’s challenges. He would give us our daily bread through His Word to strengthen our souls to be steadfast.
▫️If we are in “the storms of destruction” we would take refuge under the shadow of His wings, and because we have taken refuge in Him, we would be immovable in the storms.
▫️We would take refuge in Him today when we are confronted with circumstances in which we will be tempted to respond fearfully or sinfully.
▫️Our cry would be to God Most High, the ruler of all heaven and earth, the One who does not change, the One who will fulfill all His purposes for our lives, and we would be firmly established in Him and in His goodness toward us.
▫️The Lord would send out His steadfast love and faithfulness to us in our affliction, in the midst of lions and fiery beasts, and in our distress, His love and faithfulness would be our anchor keeping us steadfast.
▫️As He meets our needs moment by moment, we would exalt Him because He is worthy of all glory.

Your Steadfast Love is Great to the Heavens

57:6-11 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Let’s pray:
▫️When our souls are bowed down we would remind ourselves that “The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).
▫️We would meditate on and repeat to ourselves today, “My heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!” (Psalm 57:7) and trust that the Lord will strengthen our hearts to be firmly trusting in Him.
▫️We would give thanks and praise to the Lord as a way to strengthen our resolve to remain steadfast and to show that we are continuing to keep our feet on the Rock.
▫️His steadfast love that is great to the heavens and His faithfulness to the clouds would settle our hearts and minds, knowing His deep love and trustworthiness means He will always do what is best for His children.
▫️When He has helped us to remain steadfast and to press on, we would give Him the glory and exalt His name.


May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 57 quoted from the ESV.
Photo credit to michaelbweidner

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