This sermon deals with practical things each of us should learn to pray for. Using the words of the Psalmist we find things that all of us should pray about.
Introduction
If you have logged any time in church you have heard someone say “AMEN” in agreement with the prayer of another. As someone else prays a prayer that strikes a chord, which resonates in our hearts, we feel the urge to affirm what has been said. There is nothing wrong with that. One meaning for the Hebrew word amen means, “let it be so.”
Psalm 119 is a record of the psalmist’s thoughts and conversations with God. As we look at these verses we discover in his words some things that we all should pray about. We might find ourselves with an overwhelming urge to offer our own amen as we read these prayers.
Let’s examine some of the specific things that these verses remind us to pray for.
Outline
I. Pray about staying on course (v.10).
The psalmist offers a prayer that reflects both his heart and his fear. “I will seek you…do not let me stray from your commands.” His prayer taps into the feelings of people today as well. We desire to seek God, but we have a tendency to wander off the path and go in the direction that seems best to us.
A. Most people are familiar with straying off God’s path.
There are a number of reasons we stray, but the reasons are really excuses. We live in a fallen world, we lose focus, we become distracted, and there are moments that we choose to be blatantly rebellious. No matter how we explain it, people are experts when it comes to straying.
B. The secret is in the seeking (v.10a).
“I will seek you with all my heart”. With that phrase the psalmist gives us the secret of staying on course. When we make a conscious choice to seek the Father, we discover that all of our subsequent steps reflect that choice. The lesson is simple, desire the things of God and He helps us stay on track.
II. Pray about wanting the right things (v.12).
There are a number of occasions in this psalm where the writer pleads, “Teach me your decrees”. When we ask God to teach us and show us His way, His plan, or His direction, we want the things that God wants for us. His direction is always the best, so we must pray that God would help us to want and do the things that are right. We have to trust that God not only has a plan for us, but that His plan is best. This is a prayer that cries out to God and asks Him to teach us more about Him. Because the closer we get to God, the easier it is to know His heart. The closer you get to Christ, the things that bring Him joy will bring you joy, and the things that break His heart, will break your heart. Our prayer should be about wanting the things of God.
III. Pray about living according to His Word (v. 9, 11).
One of the things that people wish for time and time again is that God would speak to them. The problem is not whether God is speaking but whether we are willing to listen. We deceive ourselves into thinking that if God would speak audibly we would find it easier to be obedient. The truth is we would struggle as we do now. God does communicate with us and He has given us His written Word so that we might know Him better. One of the areas that we should pray about is how we put His word into action in our lives.
A. Purer Living is Possible (v.9).
The verse clearly answers the question that is asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” His word must become our standard for measuring our thoughts and actions. As we use His word as our standard then we have a benchmark for how to live.
B. Sin Resistant Living is Possible (v.11).
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The reminder is clear in this verse. The more in touch and in tune we are with the Word of God, the more realistic it becomes for us to resist sin. There are going to be moments when we all fail, but the key here is to remember that we are striving to put ourselves in a position to be successful.
Conclusion
As you read through the list, it is appropriate to punctuate each item with a hearty “amen!” Don’t we need to pray about staying on course? Isn’t there a need to pray about doing the right things? Shouldn’t we pray about learning to live according to His word? The answer to each of those questions is “of course!” And as our lives change we begin to discover the blessings of God in ways that we may have never seen before. Our conclusion after we read the psalm should be to say, “Now, that is something to pray about!”
Illustrations
Stop it God!
On one occasion, evangelist Dwight L. Moody had been the recipient of numerous benefits from the Lord. In his abundance, he was suddenly seized with the realization that his heavenly Father was showering on him almost more than he could take. Encouraged and overwhelmed, he paused to pray. With great volume he simply stated, “Stop, God!”
Now that’s spontaneous. It is also a beautiful change from, “Eternal, almighty, gracious Father of all good things, Thy hand hath abundantly and gloriously supplied our deepest needs. How blessed and thankful we are to come to Thee and declare unto Thee …” and on and on and on, grinding into snore city.
After I had told that story in one service, a fellow said to me, “I’ve got another one for God. God, start! I mean, He can stop on Moody, but I want Him to start with me, I need some of that.”
Source: Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1,501 Other Stories, (Nashville: Word Publishing) 1998. p.451.
Additional Sermon Starters
Praying with Impact (1 John 5:14-15)
One of the keys of high impact praying is to remember to pray within the parameters of God’s will. There are some things that we pray for and before we finish the prayer we know what the answer will be. The Bible reminds us that there are many things that God desires for us and as we pray we can have great confidence in the answers. If you pray for a closer walk with Jesus, if you pray for more love to love those who pick on you, if you ask God to guide you each day, there is no doubt that those prayers come with an answer of “YES.” They also have a dramatic impact on your life right now.
Having Faith in Prayer (Luke 17:5 and Mark 9:24)
Some have said when you are going to pray for something, pray first for faith. The disciples did this (Luke 17:5) as did the father of the demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:24). They were being wise and we have to remember that there is great power that comes in prayer. We must have faith.