Thursday, December 4, 2025
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Isaiah 4:2-6, Acts 1:12-17, 21-26
“May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth… May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.”
— Psalm 72:8,11 (NIV)
Psalm 72 is a prayer.
Not just any prayer—but a kingdom-sized prayer.
It was originally written by Solomon, asking God to bless the reign of the king with justice, righteousness, and compassion. But as you read the psalm, the language expands beyond any earthly ruler. The reach of this king’s reign stretches to the ends of the earth. His rule brings justice for the poor, deliverance for the needy, and worship from all nations.
This is more than a royal wish—it’s a prophetic prayer pointing to Jesus, the eternal King of kings.
Psalm 72 invites us into a kind of prayer that goes beyond our personal needs. It teaches us to lift our eyes and pray kingdom prayers—prayers that ask God to establish righteousness, justice, peace, and healing in our lives and in the world.
Too often, our prayers are limited by what we can see. Psalm 72 invites us to pray as Jesus taught us: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
This kind of prayer is bold. It’s expansive. It’s full of vision and faith.
Prayer is not just about asking for help—it’s about partnering with God to see His kingdom break through into our lives, our communities, and our world. Psalm 72 is a model for this kind of praying:
- Pray for justice “May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy..." (v.4)
- Pray for peace — "In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound..." (v.7)
- Pray for the nations — "May all nations be blessed through him, and may they call him blessed." (v.17)
- Pray with praise — "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory." (v.19)
For Prayerful Consideration
- You don’t need to be a king or a prophet to pray like this. You just need a heart that longs for more of Jesus in the world.
- What does your current prayer life say about what you believe God can do?
- Are your prayers mostly inward-focused, or are you also praying for God’s purposes in the world around you?