Prayer III: Changing Me

​Meditation
Psalm 28:2--Listen to the sound of my pleading when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
 
Have you ever studied the Psalms?  A most interesting phenomenon occurs with the poet David.  He often begins his psalms by telling God of some distressing circumstance he is anxious about.  Sometimes he frets over his wicked enemies.  Other times his heart is convicted of personal sin or he longs for the taste of God’s mercy and strong presence.  Curiously, towards the end of these stress-permeated laments a shift takes place.  The poet who is troubled becomes a troubadour extolling his love for his Lord.  What began as an imbroglio ends as praise!

I will never forget the week I received a letter from an attorney attempting to collect on a $58,000 bill over which I had no liability or obligation.  It caused stress for my wife and tension in my spirit for part of the day; until I went to the Lord.  On my knees I shared the injustice with my Father who loves me. When I arose from prayer, the letter still existed and the situation had not changed.  But I had.  

If poor health, mental stress from a tough work environment, unruly children, financial debt, low self-esteem or any other distressing circumstances threaten to rob you of joy, run to the Heaven-Maker!  When we come to Him in prayer He is able to take our load and bear it. 
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Transformation is not about circumstances changing but rather the recreation that takes place in my own heart as I let go of what I should not hold on to and confidently announce with David: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song” (Psalm 28:7).  Go ahead set aside time to pray!  Then as God massages your heart let loose with your own great song of praise!
 
Inspiration
When you pray, things remain the same, but you begin to be different.—Oswald Chambers in If You Will Ask
 
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)