An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

By Chad Bird

09/30/25

8mins

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335

Amy Mantravadi

09/29/25

St. Michael, Defender of God’s People

Why did the church dedicate a day to St. Michael anyway? Who is he, and what does he do?

1517 Guest Contributor

09/26/25

Yardwork and the Antichrist

The Antichrist offers another continual presence. It is every whisper that tempts us toward autonomy, that tells us to carry it alone, that insists suffering is meaningless.

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David Schmitt

01/20/20

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-25 (Epiphany 3: Series A)

This is the wonder which is present in the calling of the disciples. Not how they drop their nets to follow Jesus, but that Jesus does not need to go far to find disciples. He chooses the people He lives among.

Haroldo Camacho

01/17/20

The Law and the Conscience: An Excerpt from Martin Luther's Commentary on Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians

Indeed, the law said, “You shall love the Lord your God,” but the law cannot give me such love, nor can it take my hand to grasp on to Christ.

Bradley Gray

01/16/20

Salvation in the Soot of Sin

Have you ever felt haunted by fear, shame, and guilt? Have you ever worried that Jesus couldn't love you anymore? I have.

Joel Fitzpatrick

01/15/20

Unity Like Beard Oil

We all long to be in a community of believers that gives us life and makes us feel loved and where we experience real, fruitful community. This comes as we announce the gospel to one another.

Chad Bird

01/15/20

Why Did God Add Fish to His Diet?

Throughout the Old Testament, the seas and fish were symbols of the Gentiles. When Jesus ate fish, and called fishermen, he showed us that the mission to the Gentiles was about to begin in earnest.

David Schmitt

01/13/20

Gospel: John 1:29-42 (Epiphany 2: Series A)

This is what makes the reading from John so frightening and yet so exciting. Notice how Jesus appears. Not in miracles, not in marvels, but in relationships.

Bradley Gray

01/06/20

On the Definitive Assurance of Jesus’s Advocacy

Having the assurance that perfect righteousness has already been gifted to you is, perhaps, the leading spiritual scuffle in which every believer is entangled.

David Schmitt

01/06/20

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series A)

Jesus did not need to be baptized. But he did it. Why?

Michael Berg

12/31/19

"The Name of Jesus" and New Years Day

Christians are given a new name at baptism. We are given the Triune name of Father, Son, and Spirit.

David Schmitt

12/30/19

Gospel: Luke 2:40-52 (Christmas 2: Series A)

God reveals Himself to us in Word and Sacrament but sometimes these revelations happen in unexpected ways.

Valerie Thur

12/26/19

The End is in Sight

We think that if we are good enough, brave enough, or at least if we try hard enough, we will be someone who can be both fully known and fully loved.

Dan van Voorhis

12/25/19

Like A Kid On Christmas

As Christians, we are not cold ascetics, depriving ourselves in the here and hereafter. We are given good things from our heavenly Father in heaven, and even a foretaste of the things to come.

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