Gems from the psalms (11)

When We Pray

Neville Turley

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Psalm 102:1 (NIV)

Our gem from our treasure chest today, glistens with tears.  It is the lament of a critically ill young man living under severe stress, in a hostile environment.  It is a plea to God from a heavily burdened heart.

Compared to the psalmist, our personal situation may be immeasurably better, but our own prayers are as vital for our relationship with God.

Prayer is an intensely personal interchange between God and oneself.  The more we pray to God, the closer we draw near to him.  The closer we get, the more we bond with our Father God.

How close are you to God?  That is a question every believer should ask of themself.

The writer of Psalm 73 was very clear about his relationship with God ”You guide me with your counsel and afterwards you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire beside you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:24-26

Relationships are dependent on people communicating with each other.  Through prayer we deepen our personal relationship with God.

Prayer is not just approaching the throne of grace with a begging bowl.  Prayer is giving to God the praise and honour due to him.  Man was made to glorify God and when we do that, we fulfil the very purpose of our existence.

Should we make our needs known to God?  Yes, most definitely.  Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that God is a loving Father who listens and responds to his children.. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him? Matthew 7:11

Our prayer requests may not always be granted.  The words of Jesus praying in Gethsemane should run like a golden thread through our own prayer requests. Yet not as I will but as you will Matthew 26:39

We do not always know what is best for us or others.  God does.  Rest in his will.

Prayer: Bless us Father that we under the indwelling of your Holy Spirit may praise and honour you and bring glory to your holy name. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord Amen