Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. Psalms 86:1-7 NLT
What would you like to say to God? What do you want to tell Him?
David, the beloved King of ancient Israel was no saint. It’s hard to say, but likely he was a way better sinner than you or I will ever be! Sure he was brave (or arrogant). Sure he was confident (or cocky). Sure he was charismatic (or manipulative). But, David gave us more insight into his own life AND a more authentic prayer life than any other character in the Bible!
David was prolific in being real before a Holy God! This Psalm is one of many where David is hurting and afraid, yet it does not stop him from pouring out his heart and soul to God. “Bend down, hear me, answer me – I need your help.” It’s raw and unfiltered, he’s certainly not pandering for spiritual points, trying to make it look like his life is all together!
It’s because these prayers, these pursuits of conversations with God that we too can let it all out, say what we’ve got to say, and know we are safe in our relationship with God. There is SO MUCH to learn from Psalms like this one. My question is, “do I talk with God with as much unpolished presence as David?” God is listening! I can’t say that God is waiting around, fretting about our prayer life. But I can confidently say this – God wants to hear from us when we are at our best and our worst.
When things are good, give God a shoutout of praise. Thank Him for His mercy and grace, blessing and favor. And when things are bad, TELL HIM. If you need some help with verbalizing or converting a mess of emotions into words, then PRAY David’s prayer in this Psalm. Don’t just read it – PRAY IT – OUT-LOUD. God knows our heart, He is willing to hear the wrestling in our soul. Talk to Him while driving through traffic. Talk to Him when you wake up in the night. Greet Him in the morning. And, say goodnight before you close your day. Just pray – He is listening. Maybe He will speak to you in the storm, in the quiet, in the battle, in the confusion or raging anger. Get it all out, then quiet your soul and listen.
Prayer
Dad,
I know you hear me when I pray! I know you answer me when I feel trapped, surrounded, overwhelmed or afraid. I am so thankful for your love and patience with me. I am so grateful that you know my sin and my frailty. I love everyone one of the moments when we talk. I pray, you listen. I listen and you speak to me through Your Holy Spirit. I am comforted by Your presence and have never regretted our time together. Plus, I can’t wait until I see you face to face and spend all of eternity with you and the people who love you. Amen.