How would you describe King David?
When I think of David I think of a mighty warrior and a courageous king. I also think of a prolific poet and an open-hearted songwriter. David has always struck me as being a man who could catch a lightning bolt in one hand and a tear in the other.
He was also a broken man who understood the grace and mercy of God. He is also a shining example of a man who could have disqualified himself from the purposes of God because of his sin, but he chose instead to live a life of repentance. He knew when to surrender and submit to the Lord and His correction.
David knew when to stand up and fight, and when to lay down.
I think we’re familiar with how God described him, ‘A man after God’s own heart.’ Wow. How did David become a man after God’s heart? How did he cultivate a relationship of that kind of intimacy with God?
I think I stumbled upon the answer to that question in Psalm 109. David begins the psalm by asking the Lord to intervene on his behalf in the lives of those who hate David, speak and lie against him, attack and accuse him. He’s clearly in a difficult situation. In the middle of pointing out to the Lord the damage all the wicked and deceitful me in his life are causing, he states this:
“But I am a man of prayer.”
If leapt off the page at me.
I don’t know if I would have described David as a man of prayer…
What does that mean?
Well, I would describe prayer as ‘conversing’ with God. Sometimes we speak, sometimes we listen – like any good conversation. Good conversation is giving and receiving in an open-hearted exchange.
I believe David lived a life of ongoing interaction with God. He knew when to talk and he knew when to listen. He knew when to be still and quiet before the Lord. He knew when to confess his sin. He knew when to declare the Truth of who God is. He knew when to simply open up his heart in raw honesty before God.
He knew the power of praise and worship. He knew the greatness of gratitude and thanksgiving.
I believe David understood 3 foundational elements of conversing with God:
Listening to God doesn’t make much of a difference if we don’t obey what He is calling us to do does it?
How we pray really matters. What kind of conversations do we have with God? Are they primarily comprised of whining and complaining? Are our prayers self-centered and filled with self-pity?
Are we praying God’s will, or our will? Are we praying in arrogance, or humility? Are we praying in alignment with the Truth of scripture, or the lies of the enemy?
Our prayers are powerful when we pray in accordance with scripture; when we pray for God’s will to be done and His kingdom to come in us and through us on earth as it is in Heaven. David prayed the Lord would create in him a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit in him; that he would have Truth and wisdom in his inmost parts.
Scripture encourages us to pray continually – which seems impossible. However, I would not doubt that David spoke with the Lord as a constant companion. When he was alone, he knew he wasn’t alone.
When you’re driving alone, or working, or walking, or relaxing, or ‘playing’, do you converse with God? Do you also set aside times alone with God for the specific purpose of conversing with Him? I think this is what a man of prayer does.
I believe a man of prayer turns to God first and gives God the final word. I believe a man of prayer talks to, listens to and obeys God. I believe a man of prayer is honest and open-hearted before God, and chooses to stand on and pray into the Truth of God.
I also believe you and I can choose to be men of prayer – like David.
Psalm 109:4
“In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.”
Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“ pray continually,”
Ephesians 6:18
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”