The Example of Prayer
“Answer me oh Lord!” “Save me!” These are the psalmist whole hearted cries in this stanza (119:145-152). Have you ever felt this way in the hard circumstances of life? They key for the psalmist in his tough times is prayer. In this passage we see three characteristics of prayer that we can emulate.
First of all, prayer is earnest and continual (145-148). In 145 & 146 he cries out to God with all his heart. This is fervent, honest, confident prayer for God to hear him and help him in his situation. This earnest prayer is continual as well. He repeatedly rises early before dawn, during the late night watches (2am-6am), in the quiet and stillness to pray and meditate on the word of God (147-148).
Second, prayer is to be Scriptural (149). He asks God to hear him according to His faithful covenant love (loving-kindness). God promises to hear His people, which He has covenanted with. Believers we are His people today in the New Covenant through our union with Jesus Christ. The psalmist prays that God would “revive” him according to his word. God promises to protect, provide for, and sustain His people.
Lastly, prayer Involves trust (150-152). The psalmist is in real danger as the wicked are increasingly drawing near to him (150). The are far from God’s word and so there is little evil that they would not do. Yet, even in this great danger, the psalmist knows that God is nearer still (151). His perspective, his trust in God does not waver even in the ever changing dangers of this world. He knows the character of God because of His word, which is truth. He has learned that God never changes and His truth never changes (152).