A messy model of prayer for all who have daily needs for grace
By Dean Collins
No one who wrote any of the books of the Bible would have ever imagined how their words would one day become the subject of constant questioning and criticism. While the writers each had their share of trials and tribulation, they could never have imagined these scrolls and tablets being compiled into what we call the Bible.
In education, we analyze, check sources, consider texts and contexts, research authorship, and on and on in every academic area. After all, we are in search of truth. And we anticipate what might happen when truth is applied in life. I was thinking about all of this as I read Psalm 86 this morning.
I did a quick glance at what commentators said about this psalm. Some attributed it to David. Some think the psalm to be misplaced. Some speculate that it is a compilation of several writers’ thoughts. I have another thought. What if Psalm 86 is simply a heartfelt prayer of a pilgrim like you or me doing our best to express our fears, our hopes, and our needs to God?
Heartfelt thoughts
For a number of years, I sent my devotionals to a few family members and friends. I hesitated to put my thoughts in a place where anyone might read them or see them for a variety of reasons. I am not a professional theologian or Bible scholar. I am not a trained writer. And I think my friend Mark Taylor quickly recognized I could use the help of an editor and rescued me nearly three years ago!
About half the time I end my devotional with a written prayer. My writing and my prayers are somewhat spontaneous. I simply pour out my thoughts about some passage of Scripture followed by a prayer that I and maybe you might find encouragement, help, hope, or some little life change from my humble offering. And I am grateful that as far as I know, no one is evaluating my heartfelt prayers.
Great comfort
I find great comfort in David’s prayer in this psalm because it is a prayer more similar to how I pray. David opens with a request that God hear him and answer him. You probably agree that David believed God hears and answers prayer just as you and I believe he does. Yet even as we know God is attentive when we are in desperate situations, we have our doubts. Our honesty with self and with God is a healthy place to begin any prayer.
David, King David, said, “For I am poor and needy.” There is poverty beyond the slums and ghettos. Poverty and neediness come in a variety of packages and in many places, even among the rich. We do not know David’s exact circumstances when he wrote this prayer, but clearly his position and his accumulated wealth could not help him in this moment of need.
David prayed that God would preserve his very life, and he pleaded on the basis that he was a godly man who was a servant of God and who placed his trust in God. David wanted God’s graciousness and mercy in this time of great need.
David moved on in his prayer to a time of worship: “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.” David declared that God, his God, our God, was the Almighty and there were no equals.
Pleading for help
David moves between worshipping God and pleading for his help and rescue. I often find myself praying similarly. Sometimes I think I am not concentrating, but then I realize maybe I am simply letting down my barriers and letting God hear both the torment and the praise. God is not sitting in Heaven criticizing our prayers. As a loving Father, he leans toward us when he hears our voice.
Finally, David asks for God to show him a sign of his favor. I used to hesitate to make such a request, but more and more I find myself pushing for God to reveal the little graces and assurances I need. It might be as simple as that I sleep the next hour peacefully or that I awake the next morning with a sense of hope. The more I pray for these small interventions, the more I find that God is exceedingly gracious in providing them.
Consider Psalm 86 not a passage to analyze and interpret. Receive it as a prayer and maybe even a messy model of one. Then boldly let God hear from you. He wants to help us in our time of need.
Father, listen to us as we come to you today. We bring our pain, our struggles, and the uncertainties of life to you. We acknowledge that you are our God, our shepherd, our deliverer, and our mighty fortress. Be gracious to us in our time of need. You are good and forgiving and we need more and more of your goodness and forgiveness. Teach us to walk in your truth and trust you with our whole hearts. Turn your ear to us and be merciful. We have experienced the work of the enemy around us and need your deliverance and your protection. Comfort us, Lord, and strengthen us that we might do your will here as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 86:1-17 ESV
Photo by Ric Rodrigues at pexels.com.
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