"Prayerful Reflections: Learning from David's Devotion"
Wednesday night Prayer • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Scripture Passage: Psalm 86:1-7 (NIV)
Read Psalm 86
Introduction:In Psalm 86, we catch a glimpse of David's heartfelt and fervent prayers. As we delve into his life, let's draw inspiration from five key points of prayer that characterized David's relationship with God.
A Prayer of David. 1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
1. Pray Humbly (Verse 1):
1. Pray Humbly (Verse 1):
David's prayer begins with a humble plea for God's attentive ear. Like him, let's start our prayers by acknowledging our need for God's mercy and grace. Approach the throne of grace with humility, recognizing God's sovereignty and our dependence on His unfailing love.
How does starting our prayers with humility shape our perspective on God's sovereignty, and how does it impact our relationship with Him?
How does starting our prayers with humility shape our perspective on God's sovereignty, and how does it impact our relationship with Him?
In what ways can acknowledging our dependence on God enhance the sincerity of our prayers?
In what ways can acknowledging our dependence on God enhance the sincerity of our prayers?
2. Pray with Dependency (Verse 2):
2. Pray with Dependency (Verse 2):
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
David acknowledges his dependence on God, saying, "Guard my life, for I am faithful to you."
How does recognizing our dependence on God influence our trust in His guidance and protection?
How does recognizing our dependence on God influence our trust in His guidance and protection?
In what practical ways can we express our faithfulness to God in our daily lives while seeking His guardianship?
In what practical ways can we express our faithfulness to God in our daily lives while seeking His guardianship?
3. Pray with Boldness in our Requests (Verse 3):
3. Pray with Boldness in our Requests (Verse 3):
David boldly requests God's mercy, proclaiming, "Have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long."
We to can come before the Throne of God with Boldness as we pray and ask God to work in our lives,
How can we cultivate confidence in bringing our requests before God, and what role does trust play in our prayers?
How can we cultivate confidence in bringing our requests before God, and what role does trust play in our prayers?
In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to be bold in presenting your needs to God?
In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to be bold in presenting your needs to God?
4.Pray with Gratitude For Gods goodness (Verses 4-5):
4.Pray with Gratitude For Gods goodness (Verses 4-5):
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
David intertwines gratitude and praise in his prayers, acknowledging God's goodness and forgiveness in His life.
How does incorporating gratitude into our prayers impact our perspective on God's character?
How does incorporating gratitude into our prayers impact our perspective on God's character?
In what specific ways can praise become a more integral part of our prayer life, even in challenging circumstances?
In what specific ways can praise become a more integral part of our prayer life, even in challenging circumstances?
Think about hard time James 1:3…
We can Praise Him for His mercy, his grace, and the forgiveness we have in Christ. When we recognize the depth of His love that he has for us it should lead us into praise.
5. Pray with Expectancy for God to Answer your Pleas: (6-7)
5. Pray with Expectancy for God to Answer your Pleas: (6-7)
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
David- comes to the realization that Od will not leave his request unanswered. He is praying expecting God to hear his cries.
How can we pray in way that looks for God to answer?
How can we pray in way that looks for God to answer?
Thinking about how God answers prayer, what are the ways He could choose to answer?
Thinking about how God answers prayer, what are the ways He could choose to answer?
Yes, No, not right now, differently than we asked….
6. Pray with Praise of who God is
6. Pray with Praise of who God is
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
There is no one like our God?
How can you praise God for Who he is right now in your life?
How can you praise God for Who he is right now in your life?
7. Pray with a listening heart for God's Instruction (Verse 11):
7. Pray with a listening heart for God's Instruction (Verse 11):
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off.
David expresses a desire to walk in God's truth and seeks His guidance. In your prayers, ask God to illuminate His Word and provide wisdom for daily living.
What would be a simple prayer you could pray each morning that would Ask God to Guide your day?
What would be a simple prayer you could pray each morning that would Ask God to Guide your day?
Why is this type of prayer important for Believers?
Why is this type of prayer important for Believers?
8. Pray Thankfully(v12-13)
8. Pray Thankfully(v12-13)
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
What are you thankful for in your life today?
What are you thankful for in your life today?
How often do you take the time to just thank the lord for all the blessings you have in your life?
How often do you take the time to just thank the lord for all the blessings you have in your life?
9.Pray Receptively for God’s Help
9.Pray Receptively for God’s Help
14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
In the middle of our struggles we can cry out to God
why do you think it really matters for us to pray when we know that God already sees our struggles and is sovereign over all things?
why do you think it really matters for us to pray when we know that God already sees our struggles and is sovereign over all things?
Conclusion:As believers who are completely dependent on God in our lives we should be quick to adopt the prayer life of David.
We should pray with humility, dependence, boldness, Praise, gratitude, expectancy and a sincere desire for God's guidance in our lives.
When we pray like David our prayers will reflect a deep, intimate connection with the One who hears us and responds with unfailing love.