The heart behind the prayer is more important than the words. The Puritan, Thomas Manton reminds us: ‘the heart must be the fountain of the words; otherwise it is but a vain babbling. Much speaking is not praying’. What we need above all is to have our hearts right before God. That means having a heart that longs for God […]

David is almost overwhelmed as he begins his prayer in v18: ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?’ He’s just amazed at what God has already done for him to this point. Which is a reference to God bringing him from the sheepfolds to reign as king over Israel. […]

David responds to God’s word both by praise, in verses 18-24, and then by petition in vs 25-29. In other words he responds to what God has said both by praising him for it – and by asking that God would do what he’s just said he will. Even that structure teaches us something very simple, but also very significant […]