A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 80

Text: Psalm 22

THE DANGER OF TAKING GOD FOR GRANTED

Taking the Lord for granted is a grave danger that exists! From taking the Lord for granted, we also take the answering of prayer for granted. All too soon, prayer and answers to our petitions lose their significance and joy! We lose far too much when we take things for granted! We must not allow this problem to degenerate too far!

TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE THE LORD

How may we deal with this problem? The answer lies in learning how to appreciate the Lord! The psalmist David took time to appreciate how gracious the Lord was to him to even hear his prayers, let alone answer them.

"For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction
of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from him;
But when he cried to Him, He heard."
Psalm 22:24

1. "The affliction of the afflicted"

The world has little time for those who are afflicted! The poor remain neglected. The weak continue to be exploited! The lot of the afflicted is a terrible one indeed! The weak are often despised by the powerful!

2. "He has not despised nor abhorred"

Why should the Lord even attend to the prayers of weak and sinful people? The more David thought about how God did not despise nor abhor his cries, the more he appreciated Him! How wonderful it is to know a God who does not despise us!

3. "Nor has He hidden His face"

God could have turned His face away, but He did not! That God did not hide His face was something that caused David to rejoice much!

4. "When he cried to Him, He heard"

That God would hear prayers at all was something that moved the heart of David deeply. There were times when David needed God so badly! Time and again, God heard him and answered his prayers!

TAKE TIME TO PRAISE GOD

How often do we take time to praise the Lord? David made sure that he would not forget to give whole-hearted praise to the Lord for being so good and kind to Him.

"My praise shall be to You in the great assembly;
I will pay my vows before those who fear Him."
Psalm 22:25

If we desire prayer to be real, then it must follow that we must also desire to make praise a real part of our life! How can we keep quiet and not give praise to God, and honour all our vows to Him when He is so good to us?

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~