Psalm 86 -- The Way To Pray For God's Help

Yesterday was a “cry for help” day for me, and this psalm is entitled “A Cry For Help”.  I’m glad that what David said here sounds a lot like what I was asking yesterday.

My commentary found three encouragements in the psalm:  God’s covenant is secure, God’s character is unchanging, and God’s glory shall prevail.  It also noted that there were at least 14 personal requests, suggesting that effective praying is specific.  It also said we can plead for help from God based on the covenant of grace we have through our relationship with Christ, just as David was praying based on the Davidic covenant God had made with him.

I particularly liked verses 11-13:

“Lord, teach me what You want me to do, and I will live by Your truth.  Teach me to respect You completely.  Lord, my God, I will praise You with all my heart, and I will honor Your name forever.  You have great love for me.  You have saved me from death.”

My commentary concluded:  “When our requests are in God’s will and glorify His name, we can be sure He will answer.”

Father, thank You for answering my prayers yesterday.  I pray that I will witness the answers to my remaining prayers shortly, and that You will have opened the closed heart of one whom I love, showing him just how much You truly love him as well.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford