David’s Prayer Pattern

January 28, 2011

 The prayers of David in the beginning of his life and at the end of his life were alike in two profound manners:  One, David often inquired of God what to do and how to do it?  (1Sa 23:10-13, 28:5-6, 30:6-8, 2Sa 21:1-2); and Two, David prayers were full of praise and thanksgiving God (1Sa 25:39, 2Sa 6:12-14, 2Sa 7:18-29, 22:1-5, 24:25).

 But I read of a 20 to 25 year period in the middle of David’s reign when these two elements were missing from David’s prayer life.  And their absence commences about the same time David began accumulating wives.  Interestingly, during this 20 to 25 year period we read of David asking men their advice, but not God’s.  We find David asking God to bless his actions, but not asking God what those actions ought to be.  And during this same period, David experiences some of the darkest days of his life (i.e., rebellious sons, murdered children, and an overthrown kingdom).

 Embarrassingly, I sound like David more than I care to admit.  Too often I find myself saying, “God, here is my decision.  Will you bless it?”  And not enough do I say, “God, what would you have me to do?”  David learned this lesson the hard way, from the school of hard knocks.  I pray we learn this lesson an easier way, by reading 1^st and 2^nd Samuel.

Article Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

pastordolph@aol.com

This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 07/04/2011