Psalm 143: Modelling a prayer relationship with God

by Chantalle Wookey

Psalm 143 (NIV)

This is an amazing Psalm that is a model of how to go to God in prayer, especially in tough times. It is so obvious in this Psalm that David is God’s friend and God is David’s friend. It is an amazing illustration of what we can expect from God in our relationship with him – Friendship. This Psalm shows so clearly that when we do go to God in prayer we’re not shooting blindly into the emptiness of heaven but we can talk directly and clearly with God as a friend knowing what we can expect in return. This is how David models this prayer relationship:

• Take to time to go to God – Hear my prayer, O Lord (V1)
  
• Tell Him exactly how you feel and the circumstance you are in. He is the best friend you could ever have and it is ok to be honest with him. (V3-4)
  
• Remember with Him in a conversation all that He has done (V5)
  
• Worship Him in whatever the circumstance – I lift my hands to You in prayer. I thirst for You as parched land thirsts for rain (v9).
  
• Update God on the circumstance, if things are better – tell him, if things are worse – tell him (v7)
  
• Trust God (v8)
  
• Ask God what to do and for his direction in your life (v10)
  
• Be teachable and know that he is God–Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God (v10).
  
• Have the right motive – Our desire for God to act should always be because we want him to be glorified in and through our lives. (V11) 

Remember today that you are a friend of God. If you aren’t then you can be. Just Ask. Then begin to talk with Him in the way that is outlined so beautifully by David in this Psalm.