For the past few weeks I have been intending to write out prayers to pray repeatedly, much like what I saw in the movie “War Room.” This isn’t something that comes naturally to me, although praying and listening have been a regular part of my life for quite some time.
I just haven’t been able to, um, find the time, to write out those prayers. I have been reasoning with myself that I type out a prayer nearly every morning, so it’ll be okay if I start on that other thing tomorrow… for about two weeks now.
Today’s Psalm will put an end to that procrastination.
Here’s what verse grabbed me in Psalm 81, using SOAP:
Scripture: Psalm 81: 12-13
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
Oh that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
Observation:
They didn’t want to listen to me, so I let them have things their way.
Application:
These are not the words of a passive aggressive god. These are the words of the God who loves us and wants to guide us. We were created with free will, so there is only so much He can do for us. He can show us resources. He can give us tools to use. He can tell us what to do with those tools. It is up to each of us to listen and follow and do as instructed, though. He will only do so much. The rest is up to us.
And so today I will use those tools and that direction. I will listen to what I have been shown and I will do it. I think I am nervous that my prayers won’t be ‘good enough’ for repeated prayer, which, as I type that, I know is absolutely silly to think. Our prayers do not need to be ‘perfect,’ the just need to be genuine, which is what I practice here nearly every single day. Why am I letting myself get hung up on these other, more strategic prayers? That restricting force is most certainly not coming from my Father.
Today I stop listening to what is stopping me. Today I begin working on my prayer strategy and also begin executing. He has given me what I need. I need to listen to HIM, not the enemy, and walk in His ways.
What about you? Have you felt a pull to walk in His ways and yet neglected it? How can you apply this to your life today?
Prayer:
Father God, I am sorry that I have been afraid to write out my prayers for fear of them not being good enough. I am sorry I have been procrastinating and finding time for other things, but not this very important thing. I have shared with you that I felt the enemy attacking. I have asked to be equipped to fight back in your strength. You have given me the tools of your Word and another book guiding me. You have done more than what you need to do to guide me and and still I procrastinated.
That ends today, Lord.
I want to walk in your ways. I do not want to follow my own counsel. Yours is so much better!
Reading these verses today reminds me of how I often feel as a parent when I say or think that if the kids just did as I instructed, life would be so much easier for them.
Um, yeah. I need to listen and follow that in regards to your instruction, as well.
You have the best in mind for me. You know the path to follow. I need to actively follow that, and not just by doing the easy, comfortable things. I need to do all the things you instruct.
Thank you, Father, for your guidance and persistence. I love you.
Amen.
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