Why You Should Try Praying Through the Psalms
- Preacher
- John Ortberg
- Tradition
- Non-denominational Evangelical
- Published
- Length
- 13:17
About this sermon
What if your life is already headed in a direction… and you didn’t choose it? Psalm 1 says there are only two ways to live and only one leads to flourishing. In this opening teaching of a new series on the Psalms, John Ortberg invites us into one of the most important questions we can ask: What is my way of life leading to? Psalm 1 describes a person who is “blessed”—not just happy, but deeply rooted, steady, and flourishing. And it contrasts that life with another path we can slowly drift into without even noticing. Through reflection, story, and guided prayer, this teaching helps you examine your own direction and begin to re-center your life around God. You’ll also be invited to actually pray the Psalm—to let it shape your thoughts, your desires, and your daily decisions. Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE 📚 Today's Resources: Thomas Merton, Praying the Psalms Markham Heid, “The Number of Words You Say in a Day is Shrinking,” Time, 28 April 2026. McKay Coppins, “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler,” The Atlantic, 12 March 2026 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ 00:00 – Opening Prayer: “May the words…” 00:22 – Why Prayer Matters to God 01:25 – The Psalms: Every Emotion with God 02:41 – Why the Psalms Transform Us 03:02 – Do You Need Wisdom Right Now? 03:32 – What Does “Blessed” Really Mean? 04:18 – Everyone Has a Way of Life 04:44 – Flourishing vs. Drifting 05:09 – The Danger of Slow Drift 05:40 – Walking → Standing → Sitting (The Progression) 06:29 – Modern Life Is Forming You (More Than You Think) 07:13 – Even “Religious” Lives Can Miss This 07:40 – The Tree Planted by Water 08:10 – What It Means to Meditate on God 08:52 – Training Your Mind to Delight 09:21 – What You Fill Your Mind With Shapes You 09:43 – Two Ways to See People: Exploit or Love 10:35 – The “Wicked” vs “Righteous” (In All of Us) 10:58 – Guided Prayer: Ask God for Flourishing 11:37 – Where Do You Need Wisdom Today?
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