A Prayer of David

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Scripture: Psalm 86:11-13 (NIV)

11 Teach me your way, Lord,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead.

Devotion:

            Today’s scripture comes from the pen of King David, and it is entitled “A Prayer of David.” This psalm begins in verse 11 with a petition. David seeks instruction from the Lord. He asks to be taught God’s ways to increase David’s reliance on God and His faithfulness. Then David asks for an “undivided heart.” This petition asks God to help David be loyal to God and His commands so that David may have an increased respect for the Lord. This leads directly to verse 12.           

            In verse 12, David declares his intention to praise God. David declares his wholehearted devotion to the Lord. David declares that he will praise the Lord as long as he lives. This leads us to verse 13, the grand climax of this portion of the psalm.

            In verse 13, David gives the reason for David’s loyalty oath to God. That reason is the great love that God has shown to David. The Lord has delivered David from some trouble or disaster which threatened David’s very life.

            These three verses from Psalm 86 give us a pattern for our prayers. That simple outline is that we can begin by asking for what we desire the Lord to do for us, moving us into a time of praise and ending in thankfulness for the great salvation God has provided for us. Of course, this is not a required pattern but a guide that one can use occasionally. Let us use this psalm as a guide for our prayer right now.

Prayer:

Holy God, we come to You asking for You to teach us how to act in the world when it seems that all is opposed to your reign and will. Help us to be true to You at all times. Help us to act with grace toward all who oppose You. We will praise You, Lord. We dedicate our lives to you because you have saved us from eternal destruction through the gift of your Son, Jesus, that we may be assured of eternal life. Amen. 

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