“Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.” (v1-2,5-6,8,10-12)
David really has a grip on the reality of who he is, and who God is.
– David is unrighteous, and deserving God’s wrath
– David admits he is mortal, needy, finite, and lacking in provision, knowledge and wisdom
– David knows he cannot face this world without God
– David calls himself God’s servant, acknowledging God’s sovereignty
– God is the righteous one, worthy to judge the unrighteous
– God’s works are amazing, His love is steadfast, and He is trustworthy
– God is a teacher, guide, protector, deliverer, and provider of all things including life
How often do we pray like this – acknowledging who we are, and who God is, before we get to the “asking” part of the prayer? Maybe this is how you always pray, though I find I need to be intentional about it.
In Jesus’ example of the Lord’s prayer (Mt 6:9-13 or Lk 11:2-4) He uses a similar structure where He opens by addressing who God is, humbly bows to God’s will, and then eventually gets to the asking part.
One of my favorite prayers in the Bible begins like this: “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.” (Ne 1:5-7)
Nehemiah does a good job of acknowledging who God is, and who he and his people are in comparison. I can’t help but be humbled every time I read these words.
My challenge today is to truly, and honestly examine how we address God, and how we view ourselves in light of who God is. Now, this isn’t a “beat yourself up” exercise, this is a “humble our hearts” exercise. It’s good to gain a healthy view of the amazing people we are, in alignment with who God has created and redeemed us to be, while acknowledging God as our sovereign king. Once we have a firm grip of who we are, and who God is, let’s spend some time in conversation with God talking that through. The goal would be to consistently acknowledge God for who He is in every prayer, not out of habit or ritual, but out of genuine appreciation, honor and respect.
O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant as I confess my sins and the sins of those around me. Please forgive us Father, and deliver us from the evil one, for Your name’s sake. Please guard our feet from straying, our lips from harming, and our hands from disobeying. Teach us to do Your will, O God, so we may help build Your kingdom here on earth We need You O Lord, for we are weak and prone to foolishness. Please be the wisdom and strength of Your servants, to Your glory and honor, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training