Psalm 119:144-152.
Prayer can sometimes seem as if it is a cold-blooded affair. We are told to “say our prayers” or “to say a prayer” or even “give an invocation” or “make intercession.” But prayer in the Bible is life and fire, heat and passion. The psalmist is praying; but oh what praying!
“With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!” (119:145).
“I call to you; save me” (119:146).
“I rise before dawn and cry for help” (119:147).
“Hear my voice” (119:149).
It is significantly convicting, as well as encouraging, to hear the passionate crying to God in prayer modeled by this part of the psalm. Perhaps there is something that you want to pray about. Perhaps you even have, in some sense, prayed to God about it. But have you prayed like this? Have you prayed with this kind of passion? Have you gotten up before dawn to pray to God for what is on your mind? Don’t complain that your prayers are unheard until you have prayed like this psalmist prays!
But then note what the psalmist is praying for. He is not praying for wealth or health or even happiness. Listen:
His prayers are so “I will keep your statutes” (119:145).
His prayers are “that I may observe your testimonies” (119:146).
His prayers are “that I may meditate on your promise” (119:148).
All this is so that he will have “life”—life to the full in fellowship with God.
Are these the kinds of things that you are praying for? That you may understand the Bible, that you may know the gospel, that your fellowship with God would be filled with joy and meaning and life? Praying for anything else is like asking for dust when there are diamonds on offer! Why would you want merely financial funds when you could have the fullness of fellowship with the God of the whole universe!
And then look at the result of this passionate praying for the understanding and insight into God’s Word. While “they draw near” (119:150) who persecute him with evil purpose, at the same time he knows that: “But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true” (119:151). It gives him courage in the face of adversity.
Pray then. Pray with passion. Pray for God’s Word to be opened before you that you may understand and know God. And then you will have confidence in the nearness of God even in the face of adversity.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep Thy statutes.
I cried unto Thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in Thy Word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that l might meditate in Thy Word.
Hear my voice according unto Thy Loving-kindness: O LORD, quicken me according to Thy judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from Thy law.
Thou art near, O LORD; and all Thy commandments are truth.
Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever. Amen.
Isaiah 61: 1
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: thereforein their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Ezekiel 16:62.
And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that l am The LORD. Amen.
Jesus Christ Loves us, please surrender yourself to Him today.