Prayer – Lord, teach me to pray. I want to be a prayer warrior like David. He wrote such wonderful Psalms—songs of praise and prayer to You. I can see him bursting out in songs of thanksgiving to You. Please give me strength—like that strength David wrote about You giving to Your people. I’m Your “people”—so, fill me with Your love and strength. Let it flow through me to others.
I pray to you, O LORD, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Do not drag me away with the wicked—with those who do evil—those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts. Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds! Give them a taste of what they have done to others. They care nothing for what the LORD has done or for what his hands have made. So he will tear them down, and they will never be rebuilt! Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The LORD gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king. Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever. Psalm 28:1-9
Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.
David was such a great warrior—but he was also a devoted prayer
warrior. That’s what I want to be. So, what can we learn from David about
prayer? From this particular Psalm I see David teaching us a few things.
 |
| Sign seen in Israel. A call to prayer. |
2. Cry out for help. Don’t whine, just speak up and let the Lord know you want to be heard.
3. Position is important. Lift up your hands in worship and prayer.
4. PRAISE the LORD! He is worthy of praise—so give Him your best.
5. Acknowledge that He has heard you call out requesting mercy.
6. Recognize and admit that The Lord is the source of your strength, protection, and joy.
7. Trust The Lord.
8. Thank God for all He has done for you, for your family, friends, neighbors…and Israel.
Prayer is conversation with God. Building your relationship with Him needs to be done on a daily basis…even more than once a day. Paul gave some specific directions to the church at Thessalonica.
Never stop praying. 1
Thessalonians 5:17
Some translations say to “pray without ceasing” and that is
continually. That might be kind of hard to do and continue to work for a
company, corporation, or even yourself, but it is good to have an attitude of
prayer—always being willing to pray for and with someone. David gave his son,
Solomon, some great advice about God, who knows and sees everything.
And Solomon, my son, learn to
know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your
whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every
plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him,
he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
God sees every heart and knows every plan. Are you seeking Jesus Christ as your Savior? Seek him and you will find Him. Then, do you plan to pray today? How will you pray?
Verse of Salvation ~ But I keep praying to you, LORD,
hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer
my prayer with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13
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