Prayer, Part I, September 12, 2008

Prayer, Part I, September 12, 2008

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.
Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."
I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.

Psalms 40:1-10, www.solascriptura.com

Father, as we cry out to You, we sometimes feel there is no way that we are able to be heard. You have just told us that Your thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered. Father, we are heard and You are miraculously present. Give us comfort and assurance of Your concern for our needs.

We know, from Your word, that the law is written upon our hearts. What a magnificent gift, the truth within us. You do not require sacrifice of us. You require a humble and contrite heart that seeks to serve You.

Help us, this day, to declare our love for You among men and to seek ways to show people that we indeed love You and acknowledge You. Father, this prayer could simply be idle words or it could be a heartfelt commitment to seek to be like You, Jesus. That is our goal Jesus, to model our lives after You, to be taught by You and to experience Your perfection in times of trouble or of joy. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell