Psalm 8 is often seen simply as a psalm of praise to God for all creation, and it is that. But it also describes the right ordering of that creation and the relationships within the created order. While it is a wonder to acknowledge that humanity is seen as a little lower than the angels, it is also sobering to understand the responsibility that comes with that honor. In Christ, God has provided us with an example of what that responsibility entails—seeking the flourishing of all and being willing to be serve, putting others ahead of self.
Below is a prayer outline that intertwines the prayers of the people with Psalm 8. There are places for you to insert specific prayers but feel free to adapt what is written to fit your context and voice. This prayer could be led by one person, but the interplay between the prayer and Psalm 8 will be clearer if the psalm portion is read by someone else. The psalm reader’s cues are provided below in italics. If the prayer leader plans to change those italicized sentences, they should alert the reader.
Let us Pray
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
You, O Lord, are worthy of all glory and praise.
We praise you for [insert your prayers of praise]
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Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name.
Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
How grateful we are for the exuberance of children, their unhindered acceptance of all people, the way they bring people together, and their unequivocal sense of justice. May they teach us the value of all human life and open our eyes to the inequity that surrounds us.
We pray that a stronghold may grow against all those who are your enemies:
those who preach a gospel that is not good news because it isn’t your Word,
those who do not seek the flourishing of all people,
those who put their own desires above the needs of others,
those who seek to build their own kingdom, not yours.
May you work through children of all ages to undermine and put an end to the efforts of your enemies.
Give us comfort in knowing that at all times and in all places you are Lord of all.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
O Lord, help us not to forget who we are in your eyes:
a little lower than the angels!
Let us not forget that you care deeply for each one of us.
Today we pray especially for [insert your prayers for specific people.]
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Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name.
You made [humans] rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, help us to rule the world as you rule—desiring the flourishing of all things and willing to give up ourselves for the good of all. And so we pray for all things.
We pray for those who you have tasked to govern us. [Insert your prayers for those in government offices.]
We pray for places in this world where there is a great misuse of power and where humans, animals, and land suffer as a result. We pray particularly for [insert your prayers of petition for particular nations.]
We pray for your creation. May you grant wisdom to those who have the power to protect our earth through good laws and policies—policies that keep in mind those who are suffering the worst from climate change. Help each of us to grow in our own knowledge and awareness so that we too can do our part through habits that lead to less consumption and pollution, working as caretakers of the land, plants, and animals that you have given to us.
[Insert additional prayers of petition for other concerns that may be specific to your context not yet included in this prayer including natural disasters etc.]
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We pray all these things, acknowledging that you are Lord of all.
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Let all God’s people say:
Amen.