| Guidance in Psalms for your Prayers |
Teach us to pray, 'Jesus' disciples, once asked him (Luke 11:1). They prayed, of
course, but they were used to the format, congregational prayers of the temple
and synagogue. The religious leaders of the day did not emphasise spontaneous,
personal prayer.
But Jesus was able to pray at any time and place. The disciples wanted to talk to
God the Father like that as well. So, probably, do you. These are stressful times,
and we all need spiritual comfort and support. It is helpful and comforting to
pour your heart out to God, telling him about your fears, worries, anxieties,
hopes and dreams.
Prayer is one of the most important ---- but sometimes most difficult ---- things a
Christian must learn to do. Ideally, it is an opportunity to talk to God.
Realistically, it can seem to be rather awkward and one-sided converation.
Wouldn't it be helpful to have some examples of prayers that God heard and
answered? Prayers that people prayed when they were in need, in pain,
wrestilng with depression? Or even prayers of people who wanted to thank God
and to praise him?
We do have these examples. And, you'll find them all in the book of psalms. The
150 psalms, preserved for us in the Old Testament, were the musical poems, the
hymns and the prayers of ancient Israel. These psalms are a record of Hebrew
worship and prayer.
Other books of the Bible give us a historical record of Israel's relationship with
God. Psalms gives us a more intimate look. It is rather like learning about an
event by reading the personal correspondence between the main participants.
You begin to appreciate not only what happened, but also the feelings and
emotions of those involved.
This is what makes Psalms so helpful as you build your own relationship with
God. Seventy-three of the Bible's 150 Psalms are specifically attributed to David,
whom God called 'a man after my own heart' (Acts 13:22). David was a warrior, a
gifted poet and musician, and Israel's greatest king. He lived life to the full, made
mistakes, reaped pain and the suffering, and sometimes became deeply
discouraged.
But David loved God and even in those moments of agony and despair he
continued talking to him. There are times when we all need to talk about our
problems with a close friend. It helps put things in clearer perspective. This is
exactly what King David did when he prayed. He poured out his heart to God. He
was not afraid to express his emotions ---- fear, sorrows, hope, anxiety, joy,
longing and even frustration, impatience and anger.
This gifted and yet so very human man had learned to talk through his problems
in prayer. And, no matter how bleak the outlook seemed, David always found
comfort and the strength to hope and trust in God. Thus, the psalms of David,
and the book of Psalms in general, can invigorate your prayers with real,
down-to-earth expression that reflect your own thoughts.
You'll think, That's exactly what I want to say! It is reassuring to know that other
people have had your problems. In fact, God preserved these prayers and songs
so that you, too, would know how to talk to him. Here are some important
principles from the psalms to help you pray more effectively
course, but they were used to the format, congregational prayers of the temple
and synagogue. The religious leaders of the day did not emphasise spontaneous,
personal prayer.
But Jesus was able to pray at any time and place. The disciples wanted to talk to
God the Father like that as well. So, probably, do you. These are stressful times,
and we all need spiritual comfort and support. It is helpful and comforting to
pour your heart out to God, telling him about your fears, worries, anxieties,
hopes and dreams.
Prayer is one of the most important ---- but sometimes most difficult ---- things a
Christian must learn to do. Ideally, it is an opportunity to talk to God.
Realistically, it can seem to be rather awkward and one-sided converation.
Wouldn't it be helpful to have some examples of prayers that God heard and
answered? Prayers that people prayed when they were in need, in pain,
wrestilng with depression? Or even prayers of people who wanted to thank God
and to praise him?
We do have these examples. And, you'll find them all in the book of psalms. The
150 psalms, preserved for us in the Old Testament, were the musical poems, the
hymns and the prayers of ancient Israel. These psalms are a record of Hebrew
worship and prayer.
Other books of the Bible give us a historical record of Israel's relationship with
God. Psalms gives us a more intimate look. It is rather like learning about an
event by reading the personal correspondence between the main participants.
You begin to appreciate not only what happened, but also the feelings and
emotions of those involved.
This is what makes Psalms so helpful as you build your own relationship with
God. Seventy-three of the Bible's 150 Psalms are specifically attributed to David,
whom God called 'a man after my own heart' (Acts 13:22). David was a warrior, a
gifted poet and musician, and Israel's greatest king. He lived life to the full, made
mistakes, reaped pain and the suffering, and sometimes became deeply
discouraged.
But David loved God and even in those moments of agony and despair he
continued talking to him. There are times when we all need to talk about our
problems with a close friend. It helps put things in clearer perspective. This is
exactly what King David did when he prayed. He poured out his heart to God. He
was not afraid to express his emotions ---- fear, sorrows, hope, anxiety, joy,
longing and even frustration, impatience and anger.
This gifted and yet so very human man had learned to talk through his problems
in prayer. And, no matter how bleak the outlook seemed, David always found
comfort and the strength to hope and trust in God. Thus, the psalms of David,
and the book of Psalms in general, can invigorate your prayers with real,
down-to-earth expression that reflect your own thoughts.
You'll think, That's exactly what I want to say! It is reassuring to know that other
people have had your problems. In fact, God preserved these prayers and songs
so that you, too, would know how to talk to him. Here are some important
principles from the psalms to help you pray more effectively
You should always approach God respectfully
and it is always appropriate to praise him. There
are times when you are filled with hope and
enthusiasm. You feel close to God and you
appreciate what he has done for you. This is
how David felt when he wrote Psalm 65. (Note
also Psalms 66 and 67).
But David didn't always pray like this. For
example, look at Psalms 54, 55, 56, 57 and 59.
On these occasions, David was in trouble and he
wasted no time in asking for help. On other
occasions, David even asked God to hurry up
and help him (Psalms 38:22; 40:13, 17;70:1, 5;
143:7). Once, the book of Psalms records that
David asked God if he had forgotten him (Psalm
13:1-2).
You, too should not be afraid to tell God
precisely what is on your mind. And like David,
you can urge God to intervene in your life.
and it is always appropriate to praise him. There
are times when you are filled with hope and
enthusiasm. You feel close to God and you
appreciate what he has done for you. This is
how David felt when he wrote Psalm 65. (Note
also Psalms 66 and 67).
But David didn't always pray like this. For
example, look at Psalms 54, 55, 56, 57 and 59.
On these occasions, David was in trouble and he
wasted no time in asking for help. On other
occasions, David even asked God to hurry up
and help him (Psalms 38:22; 40:13, 17;70:1, 5;
143:7). Once, the book of Psalms records that
David asked God if he had forgotten him (Psalm
13:1-2).
You, too should not be afraid to tell God
precisely what is on your mind. And like David,
you can urge God to intervene in your life.
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2) Don't hide from your mistakes.
Some people may feel awkward about praying,
especially after they have made big mistakes.
Or perhaps they have not prayed to God for a
long time and they think they aren't worthy of
his love and acceptance any more. At times
such as these, it is reassuring to read the
moving and poignant Psalm 51, written when
David had sinned very badly. After committing
adultery with Bathsheba, David had plotted to
have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle (see 2
Samuel 11).
David's actions were especially repulsive to
God because, as king of Israel, David should
have been the moral leader of the nation. But
when David recognised his sin, he immediately
went to God in humility and genuine
repentance, asking for forgiveness. God heard.
David knew he was a sinner and asked God to
help keep him from continuing to sin.
On another occasion, King David fervently
prayed: 'Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your
servant also from willful sins' (Psalm 19:12-13).
Like David, confess your sins to God. When
you do, God promises he will forgive you, just
as he forgave David.
Some people may feel awkward about praying,
especially after they have made big mistakes.
Or perhaps they have not prayed to God for a
long time and they think they aren't worthy of
his love and acceptance any more. At times
such as these, it is reassuring to read the
moving and poignant Psalm 51, written when
David had sinned very badly. After committing
adultery with Bathsheba, David had plotted to
have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle (see 2
Samuel 11).
David's actions were especially repulsive to
God because, as king of Israel, David should
have been the moral leader of the nation. But
when David recognised his sin, he immediately
went to God in humility and genuine
repentance, asking for forgiveness. God heard.
David knew he was a sinner and asked God to
help keep him from continuing to sin.
On another occasion, King David fervently
prayed: 'Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your
servant also from willful sins' (Psalm 19:12-13).
Like David, confess your sins to God. When
you do, God promises he will forgive you, just
as he forgave David.
| 1) Don't be afraid to say what is on your mind. |
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3) Wait for God's answer.
Prayer is a spiritual act of worship in which you
share your most intimate thoughts with God the
Father, through Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in his
epistle to the Philippians, 'present (our) requests
to God' (Philippians 4:6). But this is not a magic
formula for getting everything you want when you
want it.
David's prayers were not always answered right
away. God worked with him across a lifetime, and
the relationship was not casual or superficial.
Although God will give you the 'desires of your
heart' (Psalm 37:4), there are also lessons to be
learned in enduring a trial. Sometimes you must
wait in faith for God to answer in his way and in
his time.
Psalms gives some fascinating glimpses into the
minds of people as they endured trials of faith. In
Psalm 73, the author, Asaph a Levite; one of the
leaders of David's choir, expresses anger and
impatience. He even wonders if living God's way is
worth it (verse 13). But as Asaph sorts out
through his churning emotions, he calms down,
and his faith and patience is restored (verses
16-26).
You'll find another example of a prayer changing a
negative mood in Psalm 10. God knows you have
emotions. You do not always have to appear before
him cool, calm and collected. A relationship with
God is a learning process. Sometimes you need to
be guided through life's tribulations, not just
'airlifted out' of every situation.
This is a vital part off your spiritual growth. During
such times of stress, God will help you work
through your negative thoughts and emotions, and
give you the peace of mind 'which transcends all
understanding' (Philippians 4:7). So, don't, be
afraid to pray openly and honestly to God, even
during the darkest hours of your life. But be
willing ---- and prepared ---- to wait for God's
answer in God's time.
Remember, also that God's answer to a request
may be no. Paul was a man of unquestioned faith,
second to none in his zeal to serve Jesus Christ.
And Jesus used him mightily. Yet Paul tells us
that 'to keep me from becoming conceited...there
was given me a thorn in my flesh...to torment me'
(2 Corinthians 12:7).
We don't know what this thorn in the flesh was,
but it hindered Paul's ministry, and he asked God
to remove it. 'Three times I pleaded with the Lord
to take it away from me,' he wrote. 'But he said to
me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness" ' (verses 8-9).
Paul acknowledged that this 'thorn' kept him
humble (verse 7). It reminded him of his daily need
for contact with God. So, while you should present
your requests urgently and fervently to God, you
must wait patiently while God decides how and
when he will answer you. As David said: "Be
strong and take heart and wait for the Lord' (Psalm
27:14).
Prayer is a spiritual act of worship in which you
share your most intimate thoughts with God the
Father, through Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in his
epistle to the Philippians, 'present (our) requests
to God' (Philippians 4:6). But this is not a magic
formula for getting everything you want when you
want it.
David's prayers were not always answered right
away. God worked with him across a lifetime, and
the relationship was not casual or superficial.
Although God will give you the 'desires of your
heart' (Psalm 37:4), there are also lessons to be
learned in enduring a trial. Sometimes you must
wait in faith for God to answer in his way and in
his time.
Psalms gives some fascinating glimpses into the
minds of people as they endured trials of faith. In
Psalm 73, the author, Asaph a Levite; one of the
leaders of David's choir, expresses anger and
impatience. He even wonders if living God's way is
worth it (verse 13). But as Asaph sorts out
through his churning emotions, he calms down,
and his faith and patience is restored (verses
16-26).
You'll find another example of a prayer changing a
negative mood in Psalm 10. God knows you have
emotions. You do not always have to appear before
him cool, calm and collected. A relationship with
God is a learning process. Sometimes you need to
be guided through life's tribulations, not just
'airlifted out' of every situation.
This is a vital part off your spiritual growth. During
such times of stress, God will help you work
through your negative thoughts and emotions, and
give you the peace of mind 'which transcends all
understanding' (Philippians 4:7). So, don't, be
afraid to pray openly and honestly to God, even
during the darkest hours of your life. But be
willing ---- and prepared ---- to wait for God's
answer in God's time.
Remember, also that God's answer to a request
may be no. Paul was a man of unquestioned faith,
second to none in his zeal to serve Jesus Christ.
And Jesus used him mightily. Yet Paul tells us
that 'to keep me from becoming conceited...there
was given me a thorn in my flesh...to torment me'
(2 Corinthians 12:7).
We don't know what this thorn in the flesh was,
but it hindered Paul's ministry, and he asked God
to remove it. 'Three times I pleaded with the Lord
to take it away from me,' he wrote. 'But he said to
me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness" ' (verses 8-9).
Paul acknowledged that this 'thorn' kept him
humble (verse 7). It reminded him of his daily need
for contact with God. So, while you should present
your requests urgently and fervently to God, you
must wait patiently while God decides how and
when he will answer you. As David said: "Be
strong and take heart and wait for the Lord' (Psalm
27:14).
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4) Have confidence in the outcome.
When everything around you seems to be falling apart,
it is hard to walk in faith. But that is exactly what
Christians are sometimes called to do. David told God:
'Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve
my life' (Psalm 138:7). He learned that no matter how
bad things looked, God would assert his will and
control. David knew that God will never forsake those
who seek him (Psalm 9:10).
Even so, there will be times when you will feel
rejection, humiliation, frustration and all the emotional
weather that comes into an active and spiritually rich
human life.
The Psalms can help you understand this, as you
share the intimate thoughts of servants of God who
have gone before you. They help you talk to God as a
friend. They remind you of what you tend to forget
when you are discouraged and temporarily disoriented.
They are spiritual embarkments that control the floods
of negative emotions and worry, guiding them along
safe channels, where they can be dissipated safely
(Psalm 32:6).
As you build your relationship and friendship with the
same God who listened to the prayers of David and
other authors of the Psalms, you, too, will grow in
courage and faith. You will, like David, ask with
confidence, "May the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight'
(Psalm 19:14).
And like david, you can look beyond the immediate
situation and realise 'there is a future for the man of
peace' (Psalm 37:37).
When everything around you seems to be falling apart,
it is hard to walk in faith. But that is exactly what
Christians are sometimes called to do. David told God:
'Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve
my life' (Psalm 138:7). He learned that no matter how
bad things looked, God would assert his will and
control. David knew that God will never forsake those
who seek him (Psalm 9:10).
Even so, there will be times when you will feel
rejection, humiliation, frustration and all the emotional
weather that comes into an active and spiritually rich
human life.
The Psalms can help you understand this, as you
share the intimate thoughts of servants of God who
have gone before you. They help you talk to God as a
friend. They remind you of what you tend to forget
when you are discouraged and temporarily disoriented.
They are spiritual embarkments that control the floods
of negative emotions and worry, guiding them along
safe channels, where they can be dissipated safely
(Psalm 32:6).
As you build your relationship and friendship with the
same God who listened to the prayers of David and
other authors of the Psalms, you, too, will grow in
courage and faith. You will, like David, ask with
confidence, "May the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight'
(Psalm 19:14).
And like david, you can look beyond the immediate
situation and realise 'there is a future for the man of
peace' (Psalm 37:37).
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