Sunday 26th April
Read Psalm 5:12
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.
At the end of this series I reflect on what David has taught me about prayer. Ultimately his final sentence in this psalm seems to summarise his conversations with his Lord. Is he thinking something along the lines ‘Lord I have been talking to you morning and evening for a couple of days now about the tough situation that I am in. You don’t seem to have changed the circumstances, and I guess that means that I need to keep praying. I have learnt and been reminded Lord that you do hear and want me to speak to you. As I remember the past, I remember your character and recognise that you are gracious and faithful and will act in justice to fulfil your purposes. That recognition helps me to keep praying as I know you will protect me. Psalms 3 &4 have made it clear that the life of the righteous is not free of pain and difficulty and the language of these psalms can shape the way we pray encouraging prayer in all situations. Like David, we live in a world where many are not walking with the Lord but these psalms encourage us to find refuge in the Lord through prayer, and to experience his kindness and grace as he shapes our response to and view of the chaos and turmoil of life whatever the time of day!
Geoff Hinch
