David’s prayer in Psalm 86 is an interesting patchwork of petition and affirmation. Sandwiched between each of the four petitions (vv. 1-4, 6-7,11-14, and 16-17) is an affirmation of God and His character. When each of these affirmations is an integral part of your faith, prayer becomes a practical outworking of it. Ruminate thoughtfully on these three highly pragmatic reasons to pray:
- God is good. “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (v. 5). Jehovah is not a cantankerous curmudgeon who is easily irritated or inconvenienced by your prayers.
- God is great. “Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord and shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God” (vv. 8-10). Jehovah is not comparable to any of His fraudulent rivals. He is wondrously unique.
- God is gracious. “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (v. 15). Like any loving parent, Jehovah wants every one of His children to succeed.
Desiring to pray to God increases when His goodness, greatness, and graciousness are genuine components of your faith.
