Personal Prayers

-September 20, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

(Psalm 139:23-24).

David, the author of this beautiful psalm, has just written of God’s knowledge of Him and how he cannot flee from His presence. The final two verses of the psalm, represent his brief but soul searching prayer to the Lord. The Scriptures are chock-full of personal prayers of men and women who communed with the Lord.

While it is true that that the majority of our prayers should be for others, we also need to pray for ourselves, our own needs and concerns daily. Most of the time our prayers for ourselves are foremost in our minds. We need balance in our prayers, which should always desire God’s will. When we are right with God, God will do amazing things in us and for us.

David wanted there to be obstructions, no hindrances, and no disturbances to his prayers. He prayed before going into battle and God answered his prayers and gave him victory every time. Our personal prayers are extremely important to our spiritual growth and walk with the Lord. His request centered on four things: search me, know me, try me, and lead me.

• Search me – It takes courage and a close relationship with the Lord to ask God to search us and know our hearts. He sees and hears everything; from our thoughts to our desires, and from our attitudes and motives. David was not perfect, but he was a man after God’s own heart. He wanted to be right with God and with people. When God searches us, He does so by the Holy Spirit using the Word of God. He convicts us to change us and make more like Christ. It may hurt at the time, but in the end is for our good.

• Know me – David desired not only to be searched but to be known. If we are serious about our walk with the Lord, we will want Him to have access to every aspect of our lives, every room in the home of our hearts. We, like David, have anxieties that we carry in our hearts. But when we pray and thank Him for what He has given us, He gives us the peace that passes all understanding.

• Try me – David knew the importance and value of trials. He wanted God to test him. He says, “Try me, and know my anxieties. We all have fears, concerns, troubles, and pressures in life. Only the Lord can calm them. Just remember how the Lord Jesus calmed the disciples as He did the sea. Job said in Job 23:10, “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

• Lead me – Lastly, when God has searched us, known us, and tried us, we are ready to let Him take over and lead us in His ways and according to His will. With Jesus, who is the Way leading us, we will be on the right path in the center of God’s will.

May we come before the Lord today, and pray for a closer walk with Him. If we pour out hearts, He will search us, know us, try us, and lead us. Stay safe and healthy.

In earnestness in prayer,

Dean