The Importance of Prayer: Approaching the Throne of GraceSample

Commit to Seek His Strength

Read: Psalm 18

SOAP: Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called to the LORD;

I cried out to my God.

From his heavenly temple he heard my voice;

he listened to my cry for help.

Into the text

King David wrote many of the psalms we now find in our Bibles. David was honest with the Lord in his prayers, often pouring his heart out to God, crying out to Him, and asking for deliverance. David was also generous with praise. He never made a request to God without covering it in praise.

In Psalm 18, we find the words of David after he was delivered from his enemies, including King Saul. David spent many years running from Saul, fighting for his life. David’s words in Psalm 18 describe the way God rescued David and overcame his enemies in beautiful poetry.

David recognized his need to lay his requests before the Lord, the only One who could help. He poured out his heart to God in his distress. David never masked his true feelings or tried to pull himself together before going to God. He was honest with God, crying out to Him for help whenever he needed it. David sought the Lord’s strength time and time again because he knew, without a doubt, that he would have no success without God.

David records the way God responded to his prayer in this psalm. God heard David’s prayer, and He responded in power and strength. God did not hesitate to rescue David from his distress or destroy his enemies. God came to David’s aid exactly when and how he needed it.

When we find ourselves in distress, we have one place to turn: God. He will never leave us in our distress. Our cries reach Him, and He hears. He responds to us with His power and might, caring for us in ways we never expected. When we pour out our hearts to Him and seek His strength, we can be certain He will respond to us. He may not literally destroy our enemies like He did David’s, but He certainly hears, and He certainly cares. We can trust Him.

Prayer

Lord God, You hear my prayer. I cry out to You in my distress. Answer me, for I am in need. Rescue me and help me. Lord, I believe You hear my prayers, and You care about me. I wait with great expectation for Your deliverance. In Jesus’ name, amen.