“Necessity of Prayer”

Psalm 119:5    Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!

 

            Contemplating the breadth of God’s commandments in comparison with his own weaknesses, the Psalmist asks for divine help.

 

            This shows us the necessity of prayer.  The words “O That” indicate an earnest desire.  It is a necessity that is based on the psalmists inability to know what to do in regard to the direction of his life.  Truly, we need God’s direction.  How much better each day would be if we would begin in prayer for God's blessing and direction.

 

Verse 5 is a prayer also based on our forgetfulness—anxiety and self conceit often drive the most necessary things out of our mind.  Our hearts are naturally averse and our feet prone to wander from God’s statutes.  Thus the purpose of the prayer is that we would return and keep the statutes of the Lord. 

 

 God's call all through the prophetic books is summarized by the small Hebrew word: shub, meaning return.  This prayer is a call for each of us to return to the God and to the statutes contained in the Word of God.  May we as individuals and together as a nation return to the God of our fathers. 

 

Rejoice--this week people are talking about Jesus thanks to two unrelated events.  First, I have been told that the film Man of Steel makes direct application to Jesus Christ, something already criticized by liberal commentators.  it is a strong reference, repeated in different forms, and hard to miss.  Second, Nicki Wallenda, the great grandson of Karl Wallenda allowed his prayers and comments to be played live while he crossed over the Grand Canyon.  He too was criticized for his frequent references to Jesus.  His response was that he has been praying that since he was two years old.  We can win this world if we would be bold to proclaim our faith.  Now is the time to speak out!