ChosenRebel's Blog

Recently, A friend challenged me to think about putting together a seminar on “praying the Scripture.” Can I be honest? Though I have been a serious prayer (long a) for over 50 years, I always feel like a novice. Honestly, there ARE SOME THINGS that I feel like an “expert” but praying is not one of them.

Ever felt like you needed to relearn something basic? I do.

Frankly, when it comes to prayer, I feel like I am always relearning something I have forgotten. I never feel like I have a handle on prayer. So here’s my new, 640th effort to learn about prayer experientially. I’m going to take the remainder of the year’s reading of the Bible trying to ask the question and apply the answer I get to what prayer looks like in the Jesus Life.

Join me if you want, but the train is leaving the station. I’m in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament, along with the Psalm that corresponds to the day, (20, 50, 80, 110, and 140), and Mark in the New Testament. Today’s observation comes from Psalm 140.

• Prayer is a wartime imperative. David prayed for rescue from evil men plotting against him and the nation (vs. 1-3). I need to do the same.
• Prayer is preventative. David had enemies that were laying traps for him (vs. 4-5). Jesus had enemies (Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, even one of his own disciples) David prayed that his enemies would not get the upper hand. I need to do the same.
• Prayer is victory focused. David prayed that the evil plans of others would not allow them to be exalted (vs. 6-8). I need to pray against evil plans and people being exalted.
• Prayer looks for decisive victories. David prayed that the evil of those who plotted against him would be both exposed and ended (vs. 9-11). I need to pray with confidence, not in myself, but in God.
• Prayer is not only about me and my troubles but about those who have even less then me and much trouble as well (vs. 12-13). David remembered to pray for justice for the poor. In the time of my troubles (whatever they are and whenever they come), I cannot allow my own needs cause me to forget others.
• Finally, Prayer should always include thanksgiving to God for the answers we anticipate (vs. 12). When we thank God for what we pray, we demonstrate faith in his goodness, his kindness, his faithfulness, and love.

“Yahweh, my God and my Lord, help me to live a wartime lifestyle. I forget too quickly that I am not given the time you give to go on a perpetual vacation. There is a war going on for the souls of men and women every day and everywhere. There is much evil being plotted by ungodly people every day. Wreck their plans, O God. Don’t let them get the upper hand. Frustrate them and draw them to the truth of Your Word. Hear my prayer, O God, and bring about Your victory quickly. Lord, I lift up the needs of the poor and the lonely, the ones who feel like they have no resource or help. Comfort them and be their rescuer. If there is a way I can help them, give me either an idea as to how or an opportunity to act. Make me a helper like You. Make me gracious and merciful like You. Thank you, O God, for hearing my prayer. I look forward to being useful to You in showing forth Your Kingdom so that Your will would be done on earth just as it is in heaven. Amen.”