What motivates you to talk with God? Throughout the Scriptures, we are commanded to pray. In fact, Jesus—the Son of God—considered prayer so essential that He regularly left the crowds to seek time alone with His Father (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). Any relationship requires communication if it is to grow and flourish, and that includes our relationship with God.
David was a man who knew the Lord intimately. Since he recorded many of his prayers in the psalms, we are able to catch a glimpse of his heart as he poured out his soul before the Lord. Psalm 25 shows us five reasons that we, too, should come to God in prayer:
1. Guidance (Show me Your paths and teach me to follow; guide me by Your truth and instruct me. You keep me safe, and I always trust You. Psalm 25:4-5).
If we ask, the Lord will lead and teach us.
2. Forgiveness (Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind You are and remember me. Be true to Your name, Lord, by forgiving each one of my terrible sins. Psalm 25:7 & 11).
Each day we need God’s cleansing for sin and His power to repent and turn back to Him.
3. Decisions (You will show the right path to all who worship You. Psalm 25:12).
When we reverentially fear God, He instructs us in the way we should choose.
4. Trouble (I am lonely and troubled. Show that You care and have pity on me. My awful worries keep growing. Rescue me from sadness. See my troubles and misery and forgive my sins. Psalm 25:16-18).
When we’re overwhelmed by difficulties, no one can comfort us like the Lord.
5. Protection (Look at all my enemies! See how much they hate me. I come to You for shelter. Protect me, keep me safe, and don’t disappoint me. Psalm 25:19-20).
God is the One who guards our soul and rescues us from the enemy’s attacks.
When we seek the Lord, He becomes our refuge. God understands our weaknesses and invites us to come to Him with all our concerns. It’s in the intimacy of prayer that we learn to know His faithfulness, compassion, and love. Then we can say, as David did, “O my God, in You I trust” (Psalm 25:2).
(DR CHARLES STANLEY)