Your Posture in Prayer

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Tags

Cheticamp, David, needy, poor, Prayer, Psalms, Steve Jobs, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

Verses 1-7

Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me (NIV).

Reflection

What posture or position do you take when you pray? Do you kneel, stand or lie prostrate? Do you bow your head, or raise your head and look heavenward? Do you fold your hands or raise them to God?

Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia — photo by David Kitz

The Bible describes people taking various positions or postures in prayer. We cannot be certain of the physical position that David took when he prayed the words of Psalm 86. But we can be sure of this. In his heart David assumed a position of humility. His opening statement reveals a man with a humble heart. Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

David spent about forty years as the King of Israel. Though his early years were a struggle for survival against the murderous schemes of King Saul, David’s later years were blessed by victory and prosperity. But here in this psalm David calls himself poor and needy. He exemplifies for us the first of Jesus’ Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

In God’s eyes we are always poor and needy. Though I may have billions of dollars, what is my piddling prosperity in the sight of the owner and Creator of the universe? Can that money buy me an hour in heaven? Can it buy me immortality? Of course it can’t. Despite his vast wealth, Steve Jobs was unable to buy a longer life. In the end, like King David, Jobs found he was helpless, poor and needy.

In light of this truth—in the light of eternity—let us come—poor beggars that we are to the mercy seat of God. There we can lay our burdens down. There we can humbly bring our petitions. There we can meet with Jesus. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect ( 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Response: LORD God, I confess I am poor and needy. My future, my whole life is in your hands. I do not own my next breath. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Amen.

Your Turn: Pride and prayer don’t fit well together. What position do you take when you pray?

Remembering Miracles

18 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

doubt, faith, hope, miracles, Prayer, remembering

Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11, CEV).

Shine in me – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is remembering.

I am by nature a skeptic. Faith does not come to me easily; I struggle with it. I am the sort of person who demands proof. Thomas, the doubter, and I are good friends. But when miracles happen, they grab my attention. When they happen to me personally, I am all ears, so today’s verse from the Psalms has special meaning for me.

Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11, CEV).

For seven years as a young man I suffered from chronic pain in my left knee. I had arthroscopic surgery, cortisone shots, and extensive physiotherapy. I frequently asked for prayer. Nothing brought lasting relief. Then at an all-night prayer meeting something happened. I went home with a sore knee but when I awoke the next morning I was completely pain free. It was miraculous–physically and spiritually transformational.

God’s miracles are worth remembering. They instill hope for today and faith for the future.

Response: LORD God, thank you for your past interventions in my life. They have brought me close to you. As I recall those times fill me with faith in you for today. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you experienced a miracle in your life?

My Soul is a Desert

15 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

desert, faith, Jesus, life-giving water, Ottawa, Prayer, Rideau River, spiritual dryness, thirst, water

Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

Rideau River, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is thirst.

As I searched about my repertoire of pictures, I realized I don’t have any desert photos to go with today’s verse from the Psalms.

Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

While I don’t have desert pictures, my soul has walked through desert places—lifeless places where faith and hope are dry and shriveled or absent entirely. If we have walked with the Lord for any length of time, we undoubtedly have experience periods of dryness. They are times when we need to call out to God in prayer.

Though we hate to admit it, we may need times of dryness. We need the desert experience so our roots grow deep—so we seek God with a sense of urgency—a true thirst for Him.

The good news is there are streams of water that flow from the Lord. Jesus announced, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say” (John 7:37-38, CEV).

Response: Lord Jesus, give me that life-giving water. I want to become a fountain of blessing for those around me. I put my faith in you. You are my source—the wellspring of life. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you gone through desert places? Did you meet Jesus there?

When I Groan

25 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

groan, pray, Prayer, redemption, Suffering, the cross

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

Glory Behind the Cross – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

There is glory on the other side of the cross. Today’s photo illustrates that truth beautifully. The light of God shines beyond the pain and suffering of the cross.

Today is Good Friday, the day when Jesus hands and feet were pierced. Today through agony and blood, Jesus purchased my redemption. He groaned under the weight of the sins of the world. The psalmist expresses it this way:

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

We should never gloss over or rush by the horror of the cross. The cross carries the cost of our sins. There we see a full accounting for the horror of our sins. We ought to consider well the price of our blood-spattered redemption.

But glory be to God! Beyond the cross—on the other side—shines Jesus’ resurrection.

Response: LORD God, help me see your love for me through the suffering of Jesus. You suffered to bring me eternal joy. I bow my head in thanks. Amen.

Your Turn: How can there be glory in the cross—an instrument of death?

From Your Temple

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Jesus, open doors, pray, Prayer, resurrection, Suffering, temple, trouble

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

Beyond the Door – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

Today’s photo speaks powerfully to me. It shows the sunrise as seen through the open double doors of the country church where I grew up on the prairies. God is not only in his temple. His glory is shining forth across the earth and the sky.

When we are in distress, we can call out to God and He responds. Often He will give us a sign of His presence. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

Jesus is our example. In his great suffering he called out to his heavenly Father. And his Father heard and answered his prayer. But Jesus still had to endure the agony of the cross.

But thanks be to God! The glory of the resurrection lies beyond the suffering and beyond the open door. Before us is the door to eternal life that Jesus opened.

Response: LORD God, in my time of need I call out to you. In your mercy answer me, just as you answered the prayers of Jesus, your son. Give me a sign of your presence with me. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord answered your prayers from His temple?

You Give me a Song

23 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

communion, God, Holy Week, kind, night, pray, Prayer, song, thanks

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

Night Song – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

If our day starts with prayer to the Lord, then it might well end with a song of thanks sung to Him. Between morning and evening, we experience the kindness of God. Our day is book-ended in communion with the LORD our Creator.

We can see this daily rhythm in today’s verse from the Psalms:

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

This is Holy Week and as we reflect on this sacred time, we should consider how Jesus spent this week. I am sure there was a rhythm to his days—days that were leading to the cross. Surely they were days marked by prayer and communion with his Father.

Punctuate your day with prayer. We know Jesus did just that.

Response: Living LORD God, I bring my songs of thanks to you. Day by day you are kind. Your greatest kindness was sending Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you incorporate prayer into the rhythm of your day?

Each Morning

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

listening prayer, morning, pray, Prayer, Saskatchewan, sunrise, waiting on God

Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply (Psalm 5:3, CEV).

Saskatchewan Sunrise – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

The sunrises every morning and pours its splendor across the sky. When we rise, do we pour out our prayers—our thoughts and hopes to God?

There is a beautiful humility in prayer. We don’t have the answer. We are waiting on God because He does. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply (Psalm 5:3, CEV).

People who pray are usually good at bringing requests to God, but are we good at waiting for His reply? I am often guilty of rushing into my day—rushing past the sunrise too busy to wait and appreciate.

Our Lord takes the time to listen to us each morning. How wonderful is that!

Response: LORD God, thank you for taking the time to hear our requests. I confess I need reminders to wait for your reply. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see what you are doing. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you learned to wait on God? How do we train ourselves to wait?

The Conclusion of Solomon’s Prayer

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 72, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

blessings, David, God, needy, Prayer, Solomon, Suffering, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 72

Verses 12-20

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse (NIV).

More glorious than Solomon — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This is the concluding portion of Solomon’s prayer. Many scholars view this as David’s prayer for Solomon, rather than a prayer written by Solomon. In either case, it is a prayer calling for God’s blessing on the king and the nation. This brings us to a question. What is the purpose of God’s blessing? Is it only for personal benefit?

The answer can be found in the first few lines above. The righteous king is blessed and given wealth and authority so that he can be a blessing to others. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

The great danger for any of us is that when blessings come, we accumulate these blessings for ourselves alone. Along with God’s blessings comes a responsibility to share and identify with those in need within our borders and beyond. We serve a God with a big heart. His love extends far beyond our narrow interests. God blesses His people abundantly, so that we can in turn bless others.

What a privilege we have to reflect the LORD’s character in a hurting world!

Response: LORD God, help me to see my many blessings as a gift from you. Show me today how I can be a blessing to others. You are my source. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you tempted to keep all of God’s blessings for yourself?

The Senior’s Prayer

16 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 71, Psalms

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

aging, dementia, depression, discouragment, God, golden years, Prayer, seniors

Reading: Psalm 71

Verses 9-18

Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
Do not be far from me, my God;

come quickly, God, to help me.
May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come (NIV).

Reflection

I am not officially a senior, but I am inching my way toward that prize, if you can call it that. With each passing year I can more fully identify with the psalmist’s prayer. For those of us in our sixth decade and beyond, great wisdom can be found in this psalm. As physical vitality declines, more and more we come to rely on the strength of God.

This Old House— photo courtesy of Donald Adam

The psalmist laments, “For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.”

Our enemies don’t all strut about on two legs. Some of them creep into our lives in more subtle forms like discouragement, depression, dementia and disease. These are the more common enemies that conspire against us. When they gain the upper hand, our golden years lose their lustre. Against this backdrop the psalmist is defiant. He takes his stand. As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more…

Having come this far by the grace of God, this is not the time to retreat… till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Response: LORD God, thank you for your presence with me since my youth. Continue to fill my life with joy, meaning and purpose. Day by day, be my help and strength until I see you face to face. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you look forward to your golden years?

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

Tag Archives: Prayer

Your Posture in Prayer

More Questions than Answers

Remembering Miracles

Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11, CEV).

Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11, CEV).

My Soul is a Desert

Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you (Psalm 143:6, CEV).

When I Groan

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

From Your Temple

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

You Give me a Song

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God (Psalm 42:8, CEV).

Each Morning

Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply (Psalm 5:3, CEV).

Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply (Psalm 5:3, CEV).

The Conclusion of Solomon’s Prayer

The Senior’s Prayer