A Lesson on Prayer from Psalm 25

As you might already know, I’m journaling my way through the Bible, and am currently working through the book of Psalms. As I read through Psalm 25 this week, I was struck by the focus of David’s prayer. He begins with what’s right in front of him, with the situation and enemies he is facing:

“Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.” (vv.1-3)

But then, there is an almost abrupt shift, as David talks to God about his deepest need in the situation.—I know this is a lengthier passage than I usually include in my posts, but read through it slowly, thoughtfully, and notice how David focuses on his part of the situation He is facing.

“Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.

Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation on Thee do I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners in the way.

The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

For Thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.

His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.

Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net,

Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring me out of my distresses.

Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee.

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. (vv.4-22)

When I’m facing a conflict, whether with people or with the spiritual “enemies”— that is, the world, my own flesh, or the devil—my prayers tend to focus on the external factors. I tend to focus on the people or situations that are wrong, and my thoughts tend to go back over the situation again and again as I pray.

Can you relate?

But David didn’t do that. I don’t know when exactly during his life the Holy Spirit led him to pen these words, but throughout much of his life, he faced real, in-person enemies—some of whom were his own flesh and blood. Time and time again, he faced betrayal, physical danger, and the emotional turmoil of persecution.

David could have gone into great detail about whatever enemies he was facing. He could have named names, given God a list of their wrongs in minute detail, or pointed out exactly how innocent he was in all this.—But the thing is, he didn’t have to. God already knew more than David did about the situation and about each of the enemies he was facing. And there is no fooling God about the state of our own hearts.

It's not wrong to tell God about what we are facing, but I think if we’re not careful, we can use prayer as a means of continuing an unhealthy focus on our wrongs, when God wants us instead to do as David, and focus on our own hearts.

God has already promised that whatever you and I will face in this life will be worked together for our good. But that good only comes when we allow God to use the hard things we face to do a work in our hearts.

When our response to a particular trial or tragedy is to rehash the matter over and over, telling God all our thoughts about it, we miss out on the peace, hope, joy, and forgiveness with which He wants to fill our hearts. Instead of humbly casting our cares upon the Lord, we end up pridefully clutching them as we hold them out for Him to see, expecting Him to be as outraged on our behalf as we are.

But that’s never how God intended it to be. Look at 1 Peter 5:6-7:

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

Prayer isn’t meant to be a one-sided lecture in which we tell God everything that’s wrong in our lives. Instead, it is meant to be a time in which we come to God humbly, bringing our needs to Him, and asking for His wisdom, mercy, grace, and righteousness.

David wanted justice and deliverance from his enemies, but he also knew that it was important to keep his own heart right—and that was the focus of his cry to God.

Dear Reader, is there anything you need to pry your fingers off of as you talk to God today? Let it go. Let God take care of those people and situations, and turn your focus on keeping your own heart right with God.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

Psalm 139:23-24