TRUSTING GOD THROUGH OUR PRAYERS

Psalm 119:153-160 says, "Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees. Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws. Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word. See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever." The section of the Psalm that we read today is about expressing the Psalmist's needs for deliverance from his enemies to God. Although the Psalmist is aware of God's commandments and promises, he suffers persecution from his enemies who disregard God. He found comfort in prayer. Prayer is very important in our spiritual walk and relationship with our God. Prayer is about expressing our hearts to God. We could express our gratitude, praise, love, repentance, and needs to God through our prayers. 

Although the Bible mentions that God knows exactly what we need even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), God wants us to express our hearts to Him to acknowledge Him as our God and humble ourselves before Him. God saw the Psalmist's suffering, and so He also sees our sufferings and difficult problems, but just as the Psalmist prayed to God for deliverance, we must also. Let us not give up in praying; in due time, His deliverance will come. We may feel that God is not listening to our prayers, but He does. 1 John 5:14 says, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." God grants our prayer requests according to His will, and not according to our will. His intentions for us are meant for our benefit, not to harm us. We suffer because we are living in this fallen world. Our ultimate redemption from all sufferings is when we are with Him in Heaven. 

Let us keep on trusting God by expressing our hearts to God through our prayers. We must not give up praying until we know His answers to our prayers. God answers our prayers with "yes" (granting us our prayer requests), "no" (not granting us our prayer requests because He has a better plan in our lives, and "wait" (we must wait until his perfect timing). 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is prayer? Why is prayer important? What are the possible answers from God to our prayers?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I humbly come before you and acknowledge that you are my God who cares and loves me. You know and understand all the problems that I am having, and I am asking you to help me. Please grant my prayer request according to your will, for you know what is best. My life is in your hands, and I am secure in you. Please help me to trust you completely and never stop praying. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.