Planted & Nourished Tree

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which was written completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” (Psalm 1:3–4, ESV)

He is like a tree…

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your truth to us through creation. Thank you for creating a world of wonder and beauty that continually praises you day and night. Thank you, that we can see examples of your truth and beauty in the world. 

In the midst of this current storm, I ask you, Father, to make me like a tree. As the winds of trial and adversity blow, help me stand tall and strong. Prevent me from being tossed back and forth. Prevent me from tipping over. Drive my roots deep through meditating and delighting on your Word. May those truths drive so deep within me that no wind of adversity could ever topple me over. 

…planted by streams of water…

Heavenly Father, help me understand that I am not a wild tree—on my own—but a planted tree. You are the gardener of my life. You have planted me near the streams of water. You are caring for me and cultivating me, making sure that I have everything I need. Father, help me trust your care for me in the midst of difficulty. Help me trust that you are providing me with everything I need. 

Father, I also ask that you would continue to nourish and strengthen me through your Word. As I delight and meditate upon your Word, may it be like streams of water nourishing my soul. I know that your Words are the words of life, so I ask that you would fill me with that life. May I be full of life and vitality, no matter the surrounding situation. 

…that yields its fruit in its season…

Father, I ask that you would turn the nourishment and life that you give me into fruit that will nourish and bless others. May your grace overflow beyond myself onto the people and community around me. May the nourishment you give to me be used to provide nourishment to others. 

Yet, I understand that there are seasons in life. Help me be patient in the midst of barren and dry seasons. Help me trust you when it doesn’t seem like fruit is being produced. Help me to continue seeking the nourishment I need, even when I don’t see that nourishment turning into fruit. Help me trust that you will produce the proper fruit in the proper season: you will grant patience in the midst of suffering, faith in the midst of trial, self-control in temptation, and joy in your deliverance.

…and its leaf does not wither.

Father, I thank you for the way you’ve prepared me for the dry seasons—seasons of heat and drought. I thank you that you have driven my roots deep into the ground, finding deep, never-ending waters of life through meditation and delight upon your word. You have prepared me so that in the midst of this difficult season, I will not wither up. I will continue to flourish and life. 

So, Father, keep my eyes on you and keep me delighting and meditating upon your word. Help me not to rest on previous seasons of fruitfulness, but to find nourishment and strength through your Word today. Prevent me from withering up and drying out in this season. Help me trust you in this. 

In all that he does, he prospers.

Father, help me to truly understand what you mean when you talk about prosperity. I know the world doesn’t quite get it. I know the world always things money and power and fame. Yet, I know that’s not your way. I know that “there is a blessing concealed in the righteous man’s crosses, losses, and sorrows.” (Treasury of David, p.2). I know that we are to consider it joy when trials come against us, because we know that you are using these things to make us perfect in You (James 1:2). So, help me understand your view of prosperity, then help me praise you when I see your will prospering in my life and throughout the world. 

The wicked are not so…

Father, help me keep my eyes on you. There are so many thoughts and opinions flying around these days. Help me not to get swept up and lost. Help me trust in You and your Word, not the “wisdom” of the world. 

Father, I see so many people around me listening to so many wrong things—being led astray. I don’t want to be like that, but I also don’t want them to suffer either. Open their eyes, Father. Help them see the blessings that only you can give. Help them see that you can firm them up, plant them, provide for them, and nourish them in the midst of these difficulties. Please open their eyes and turn their hearts to you. 

…but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Father, in the midst of trials and suffering, I feel so weak. My life—my emotions—feel like a rollercoaster—really good one moment, really low the next. Help strengthen and firm up my faith. Help me more fully trust in you. 

Take my weakness, plant it in the ground, and turn it into a tree full of life and vitality, a tree that stands firm and tall in a storm, a tree that bears fruit in its season.