A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 9

Text: Psalm 3; 2 Samuel 13-19

PRAYER INVOLVES AN EXERCISE OF KNOWLEDGE

Prayer is never just a pouring out of the emotions from deep within the heart! It is not mere "venting" of feelings of frustration and despair! Meaningful prayer in times when evil seems to prevail must involve an exercise of deep spiritual knowledge of God.

Let us learn deep and important lessons about how we may, indeed, how we must exercise both knowledge of God and faith, when battling in prayer against powerful evil forces and circumstances!

"But You, O LORD, are a shield for me.
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice and He heard me
From His holy hill."
Psalm 3:3-4

"But You, O LORD, are a shield for me."

How should we understand this phrase? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

1. It was God who spoke of Himself as a Shield

David did not invent the idea of God as a shield. It was Lord Himself who spoke to Abraham and described Himself as a shield.

"After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram
In a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield."
Genesis 15:1

God protected Abraham throughout his lifetime! David appealed to the Lord to be his shield as well.

2. Through personal experience

David was a man who had seen war many times. From the earliest times, when he stood facing Goliath, David experienced God as his shield. In the present distress of his son's rebellion, the natural outcry of the heart was to appeal to God as his perfect shield.

"My glory and the One who lifts up my head"

David knew that it was the Lord who had made him king. He was the One who raised him from the low status of being a shepherd lad to become king of Israel! David now appealed to the Lord to protect His anointed! David knew that there was a special relationship between the Lord and His anointed. He knew that the Lord never desert His anointed ones… whether they be prophet, priest or run-away king!

"I Cried to the LORD and He heard me from His holy hill"

Armed with this knowledge of God, David sought the Lord in prayer! His faith in God was not in vain. He testified that God heard his prayers! God will hear prayers that are offered based on knowledge and faith!

Let us seek to deepen our understanding and practice of prayer! Let us seek to pray with even greater insight and understanding, as we ponder David's experience when he was nearly overwhelmed by distress at the rebellion of his son Absalom.

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~