Praying in desperate times

I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:6-8 NIV

From the text, David expresses his desperation to God in prayer. This psalm could have been likely written by David when he is being pursued by King Saul. David’s confidence in approaching God in His throne of grace is his confidence in Him. He believes God does not change. He is always true to His promises and is faithful. There are times that we are in desperate situation; some moments in life that we seemed paralyze reeling with a notion that a possible solution is not available. Just like David, we can approach God in prayer and bring to Him our desperation and fears. Rest in the knowledge that we have a personal relationship with God and this provided us access to His presence. David, in his prayer asked God to not hide His face from him. Like a child, David was seeking to experience an assurance that the eyes of God was upon him. This should also be our attitude praying to God to help us be guided by His will. We are not just to be after the solution to our problem but the admonition to seek His presence. Awareness of God’s love and assurance of His continued guidance are more important than the remedies. There are tendencies on our part that once prayers are answered and things in life are once again running smoothly there will be no continued dependence upon God. Just like David, we should be committed to lift up our soul to the Lord in recognition that satisfaction that comes from the knowledge that God is with us and that He will show the way we should go should be enough reasons for us to always entrust to Him everything.

Blessings,