MY FRIEND’S POSTURE OF PRAYERS

MY FRIEND’S POSTURE OF PRAYERS


Psalms 143:6-7 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

One of my friends said:

“I’ve been thinking a lot about prayer lately. Maybe it’s because I need prayer like I’ve never needed it before – well actually I’ve always need it. But it just seems like prayer has taken the forefront of my mind and heart recently. But it hasn’t always been this way for me. . .”

To be honest, he said he has wrestled a lot with this thing called prayer.

*Why does God want us to pray when He knows what we need even better than we know ourselves?

*What good does his prayer even do? Who am I to change God’s mind or challenge Him on His ideas?

*How do I know that I am praying in “God’s Will”? Can anyone really know the will of God?

These and other questions have done battle in my mind as I’ve tried to work out this idea of prayer. It seems like prayer comes so naturally to some people. They find no trouble in praying “without ceasing”. But me, well it seems like I’ve always struggled.

But as I’ve grappled with this, I come to realize that it’s not about my questions but more about my heart. And I’ve allowed my questions to hinder my pursuit of prayer.

Prayer is a conversation with my Heavenly Father. Prayer is pouring out my heart to Him. It’s declaring my frailness and His strength, my simple-mindedness and His wisdom, my need and His provision.

Prayer is a place of humility . . . Prayer admits that we NEED God, that we are DEPENDENT on Him, that we CANNOT do it without Him.

Just as a loyal citizen kneels before their king to declare their submission to his decisions, laws and judgments, we proclaim the same thing when we pray. Turning to God in prayer for guidance and help declares that, “He is God and we are not.” It’s our way of surrendering to His Ways, His Work and His Will for our lives.

In Psalm 143:6-7 David declares his dependence to the KING . . .

Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to You to hide me. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

In these verses it’s easy to see David’s posture in His prayer. He is kneeling before his King offering his trust, asking for guidance and surrendering to His leading.

Do you struggle with prayer? Have you come to God with pride in your heart? Maybe you’re kneeling on the outside but not on the inside? Whatever it may be, I encourage you to let go and turn to the One who is ready and waiting to hear from you.

Lord, I pray that you would humble me under Your mighty power and I trust that at the right time You will lift me up in honor. I give You all my worries and cares because I know You care about me. (1 Peter 5:6-7)