Psalm 17: a good model for my prayer today, and maybe yours, too

By Dean Collins

Not that David needs my opinion, but Psalm 17 is a really good prayer. We may not be able to relate to David’s journey from shepherd to celebrated king. We may not identify with his constant attack from enemies both close and far away. But we can relate to a life where there are ups and downs, spiritual assaults, and hostility from others who don’t live the life we are living as followers of Jesus. If that’s the case, then certainly this prayer is a good one for us to pray and to pray often.

I’ve broken it down into segments so that as we pray together we know what we are asking God, what we commit to do, and finally, what we believe he will do for us.

In Section 1 we ask for help:

Hear our just cause
Be attentive to our cries for help
Listen to our honest prayer
See what is right for us

Section 2 is our acknowledgment of God’s previous actions for us:

You have tried my heart
You have visited me by night
You have tested me

Section 3 is our declaration and commitment of how we try to live for God:

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress
I have avoided the ways of the violent
My steps have stayed on your paths
My feet have not slipped
I call upon you

Section 4 is our request for this moment:

Lean in to me
Listen to my words
Show me your steadfast love
Keep me as the apple of your eye
Hide me in the shadow of your wings
Hide me from the wicked who seek me harm

Section 5 is where we let God know we are dealing with outside forces:

They have surrounded me
They are looking to knock me down
They are waiting in ambush

Section 6 is another request to God for his response:

Arise, O Lord
Confront and subdue the enemy
Deliver me from evil men

Section 7 expresses our determination to wait for God and experience him fully:

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

I don’t know that I can add anything to this prayer. What I can do is pray it with you, confident that we will indeed experience God’s face of righteousness and be satisfied with his likeness.

Amen

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭17:1-9, 11-15‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

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