Psalm 5
How we pray says a lot about us, about our relationship with God, and about what we value.
Followers of Christ can place their confidence in God, who is faithful to hear their prayers. Because of the work of Jesus on our behalf, we can have confidence that God listens when we call to Him. In times of great trouble, we are able to cry out to Him and ask for deliverance. God may not always respond in the way that we expect, but we can be confident that He is still working in a way that is for our good and brings greater glory to Himself.
Read Psalm 5:1-3:
- What sorts of things do you typically pray for?
- Why aren’t we always honest with God about what troubles us?
- When you pray, do you stop to consider what you will pray about and how you will pray?
Read Psalm 5:4-8:
- Why is it important to know that God is perfectly just?
- How do we balance verses 5-6 with Jesus’ command to “love our enemies” (Matthew 5:44)?
- On what basis does David “enter God’s house”?
Read Psalm 5:9-12:
- How might the unbelieving world around us influence our prayers?
- Why does David pray for the condemnation of His enemies in verse 10?
- How does knowing God’s character give us joy and security in the midst of distressing times?
Taking it Home:
- How can we be more fervent in prayer even when we are not distressed like David?
- What is one area of your life in which you struggle to trust God to shelter you?
Ways to Pray:
- Adoration: Praise God for being the incorruptible standard of all righteousness and goodness.
- Contrition: Admit any tendency you’ve had lately to boast or deceive, or to delight in those who do.
- Thankfulness: Thank God for the mercy that He eagerly offers to any of us when we turn to Him.
- Supplication: Ask for God to “cover you” this week, so that you can boldly advance in love and graciousness.
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
- 1 Corinthians 2
- Jeremiah 8:4-13
- Psalm 8
- Revelation 12:7-12
- Psalm 91
- Daniel 12