Help, Lord! And Guard My Mouth While You're At It
King David has a direct and honest approach to prayer. He simply puts it out there that he needs help and needs to know God is listening. I can relate. The older I get and the more I am involved in doing Kingdom work—work that matters—the more I feel the same way when I pray. No flowery words or eloquent language, just, “Lord, I need you, come quickly, listen to me!”
The next thing David asks is that God would guard his mouth from saying the wrong things and guard his heart from evil intent and behavior, especially around those who do evil. I don't know about you, but when I am in the middle of a battle, I have the tendency to want to lash out at the bad guys and put them in their place. I wouldn't want to put in writing all the things I have thought and wanted to say to a few people during difficult negotiations in various projects over my years as president of Point University. I will admit that sometimes it was a real fight to hold back my words! I imagine that David must have felt the same way at times.
There is a principle here, I think. Be absolutely free in expressing your needs, frustrations, and emotion to God, but guard your mouth when speaking to others. Easy to say and hard to do. In fact, I believe we tend toward the reverse. We are cautious and emotionless in prayer and freely speak our minds to others. That recipe keeps us stuck and limits our prayers and therefore their power.
David goes one step further and declares that he is putting his eyes, his focus, on God and tells him, "Don't leave me defenseless! Keep me from the trap of the enemy. Let them fall in their own trap while I pass by safely.” In other words, “God, I have nothing to offer here, so I am going to focus on you and trust that you will protect me and deliver me and take care of the bad guys and the bad situation.”
David took that to the bank. I think I will make that same deposit today. How about you?
Thank you, Father, for both the guidance and the example we find in scripture concerning how to pray. Forgive us when we use our words carelessly or with the intent to hurt someone with our words. Thank you for the permission that you give us to be open and real in our conversations with you. Guide us as we seek to know you better and follow your will for our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalms 141:1-4, 8-10 ESV
Photo by Pexels
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
