Lessons in Prayer

The People Pray for David 20:1-5

Destination

Who you are praying to matters.

Whoever was leading in this prayer had no delusions about who they were praying to.

“May the Lord answer...”

“May the name of the God of Jacob...”

“May He send...”

“May He remember...”

“May He grant...”

“May the Lord fulfill...”

I was watching an interview of a somewhat famous person who was talking about prayer. He was very much in the “send thoughts and prayers” category. First, I don’t know how to send my thoughts to anyone. Second, who are they praying to? One person said it is about putting “good vibes” out into the universe. What?

Prayers does have personal benefits, but that is not where prayer ends. Prayer might be meditative but it is not meditation. Prayer has a destination it has a recipient, and those who pray outside of Christ are talking on the phone but they never dialed the number.

Who you are praying to matters. If you are not praying to the God of the Bible then the only thing you have accomplished is making noise.

Object

What you are praying about matters.

First, we must understand that no matter is too small to bring before God. If your pet is lost or dying it is in fact appropriate for you to pray about that.

However, we also need to understand that God expects us to be mature in our prayers and to make proper priority. If you spend hours praying about your lost cat, but hardly ever mention a word about your neighbor who doesn’t know Christ your prayers lack proper priority.

What you are praying about matters. In this Psalm the people are praying for their King. This is a properly prioritized prayer. David’s choices affect them all. David’s spiritual condition affected them all.

Purpose

Why you are praying about it matters.

In Psalm 20 the people of Israel were praying for the success of their King.

When the King was successful they were successful.

But they were also the chosen people of God. When they were successful God was glorified.

When Israel was victorious on the battlefield in their mind that was a testimony that Yaweh was God.

You can pray selfishly.

David’s Confidence in God 20:6-9

What I Know v. 6

When it comes to prayer acknowledge how you feel, but rely on what you know.

David: “I know that the Lord saves His anointed...” & “I know He will answer from His heavenly sanctuary.”

You may not always feel that God is good, but you know He is. A child doesn’t always feel like his parents are fair or nice but at the end of the day he knows they are.

Pray what you feel, but more importantly pray what you know.

Who I Trust v. 7-9

When it comes to prayer remember that it operates through grace and is an expression of trust.

David contrasts who he is trusting in vs who or what his enemies are trusting in.

They are trusting the things they have built or raised. - Chariots and Horses

David is trusting the name of the Lord.

Why the name of the Lord? - Not the word itself but what it represents.

Chariots collapse and horses fall but those who trust in the Lord will rise and stand upright.

Prayer operates through grace. - We can pray because of grace.

Prayer is an expression of trust. - We pray because we trust.

David Rejoices in Victory 21:1-15

What God Has Done v. 1-6

Prayer is an opportunity to praise God for what He has done.

David’s focus is clearly on the Lord and what He has done for him in v. 1-6

Psalm 21:1–6 “O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.”

As I study prayers recorded in Scripture one thing I frequently consider is that I pray about myself way too much.

Don’t miss out on the spiritual discipline of reviewing God’s blessings.

The King’s Trust v. 7

Prayer is an opportunity to entrench yourself in the love of God.

Psalm 21:7 “For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.”

How often to we underestimate just how foundational the love of God is to our daily lives?

We are in constant need of His love, because His love is not just His good and benevolent feelings toward us. It is that which moves Him to extend His grace and mercy toward us. It is because of His loyal lovingkindness that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

What God Will Do v. 8-13

Prayer is an opportunity to praise God for what He will do.

Psalm 21:8–13 “Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.”

Take the time in your prayer life to remind yourself of what God has promised to do.

Jesus is coming back.

We will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

He will always be with us.

He will put all things right.

He will reunite us with those we have loved.

He will wipe away every tear.

He will cleanse every sin.

1 John 3:2 “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”