November 11, Honest Prayers

Today’s reading: Psalms 51-55

“Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them”
- Psalm 55:15.

Some are surprised at the tone and content of David’s prayers in the psalms, for he did not mince words. He sometimes called on God to take out his enemies in no uncertain terms. David’s enemies, however, were not just criticizing David; they were trying to kill him. Most of us have never faced that kind of enemy, so we cannot judge David for his prayers. What’s more, David was not seeking his own revenge, but rather was trusting in the Lord to fight his battles. Finally, David was not glossing over what was in his heart, but was putting it all before God, allowing God to sort through David’s emotions and motives and adjusting them as He saw fit. In fact, David was simply praying to God using God’s own words: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free” (Deuteronomy 32:35). Are you putting your heart into your prayers, not holding back your emotions and feelings? Do you acknowledge in prayer that you have less than “Christian” thoughts, realizing that God already knows them? Are you pretending to be someone you are not when you pray?