Hear My Prayer, For You Are The Lord

When you call out to the Lord, do you expect Him to hear your prayer? David did. In examining Psalm 17, we’ll understand why he expected God to hear and respond to his prayer.

O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips. Psalm 17:1

We get the idea from the wording of the first verse that David sought the Lord with urgency. His prayer included, “Hear my plea, listen to my cry, and pay attention! He continued with;

Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right. Psalm 17:2

Many speculate that David wrote this prayer during the time when Saul, the King of Israel, pursued him. David had opportunities to kill the king but wouldn’t harm God’s anointed.

On the other hand, Saul had no problem hunting for David with the intention of killing him. So, in his prayer, David opened himself up so that God could examine him and hear his plea.

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. Psalm 17:3

When you look into a glass house, you can see everything inside it. God looks at us in the same manner. He knows everything about us. He knows our secrets and our inner thoughts.

David wasn’t confessing to living a sinless life. He did, however, believe that, in this instance, he could approach God with pure motives. At other times, he confessed his sins to the Lord.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Psalm 51:1

David Believed that God Would Hear Every Prayer He Prayed

David had confidence that God would hear his prayer whether he prayed for help, protection, or forgiveness. And he didn’t hesitate to call upon His name.

We, too, can go before the Lord boldly with our requests. But we must be honest with Him and ourselves. Mainly because He knows more about you than you know about yourself.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

If we have known sin in our hearts and petition God, then we should first ask His forgiveness. If we don’t, then instead of addressing Him boldly, we will go to Him with arrogance or pride.

All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13

David continued by confessing his faith as he pleaded for God to hear his prayer.

I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. Psalm 17:4-5

Jesus told us that if we deny Him, He will deny us before His Father in heaven. The Apostle Paul said that we should openly declare that Jesus is Lord.

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:10

Make Your Prayers Specific

David made some very specific requests to the Lord. God also wants us to voice our needs to Him. In the next few verses, David asked the Lord for protection from his enemies.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.
Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
From murderous enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:6-9

David’s enemy sought after him with a hoard of soldiers equipped with swords and shields. Our enemy doesn’t come against us in a physical form.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Fortunately, God has made provision for us to stand against our enemy, the devil. We have authority in the name of Jesus. Plus, He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in and with us.

The Armor of God

We also have access to the Armor of God, which consists of the following. The Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation

The Lord also equipped us with a great offensive weapon, the Sword of the Spirit: the Word of God. He said to wear the armor and pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

David did not doubt that the Lord would hear his prayer, and He would answer it as well. He expected the Lord to bless him and his descendants, too.

By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants. Psalm 17:14

Like David, we can count on the Lord to hear our every prayer. One day, we will gather with David and all the righteous to see the Lord face to face.

Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied. Psalm 17:15