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
St. Michael, Defender of God’s People
Amy Mantravadi
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?
Yardwork and the Antichrist
1517 Guest Contributor
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.

All Articles

Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/03/18

Did You See That Gorilla in Church?

Give us eyes to see the face of Jesus in that little child wriggling in front of us, tugging at his mom’s sleeve, wanting a drink of water.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
02/26/18

Knowing is Half the Battle

I cannot recall how many times I sang along to this theme song, punching and kicking as a kid in the 80s. But much of my desire to join the Marine Corps had its genesis in the 80s cartoon “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.”
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
02/21/18

Create In Me a Clean Heart

Christ exchanged His excellent love, His wonderful heart, for my shameful adultery with you.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/17/18

Prayer Won't Stop School Shootings

A good place to start is to work hard at loving those no one else seems to love. I can’t think of a more Christ-like action.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
02/15/18

Romantic Love, Silence, and Ash Wednesday

This reflection was adapted from Sexy: The Quest for Erotic Virtue in Perplexing Times (1517 Publishing, 2017).
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson
02/14/18

The Gospel for the Relational Failure

Today I want to give you some good news. It is good news for the relationship failure; for the one who is self-focused;
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
02/08/18

All You Have To Do Is Be Silent

From the very beginning, God made everything out of nothing. For mankind’s redemption, God’s Son did everything while we did nothing
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
02/07/18

Satan and Electric Joy

In the world of martial arts, which I am the first to admit I am no expert in, there is a concept, particularly in Jujutsu and Judo, called seiryoku zen’yo or, “maximum efficiency, minimum effort.”
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/04/18

Give Us Religion Where the Good Things Run Wild

Jesus came to lay down his life for us. He didn’t come to slip 6’ leashes on the necks of his canine followers. He came to set us free.
Kevin McClain
Kevin McClain
02/02/18

Raised to Be a Real Man

We attempt to put God to death as we seek to set ourselves in His place. God loves men, but he will not stand to compete with little gods.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
02/01/18

Let the Little Children Come to Me: A Sanctuary for Children

“In a culture that promotes self-interest, children in church learn that something much bigger and more important than themselves is going on in their midst."
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
01/31/18

The Gold Man

The little gold man has become one of my most prized possessions for he reminds me of God’s love for me.
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