Aligned Supplications
What we ask for in prayer says much of our spiritual condition. People ask God for what they need, but do they understand their greater need? “Make me understand the way of Thy precepts (Ps 119:27)…Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments (Ps 119:35),” is the heart cry of aligned supplication.
Christians must ask God for right things, and our Lord has provided such petitions in His Word. As we meditate on the Word of God, our prayers reflect the very sentiment of the man after God’s own heart.
Christians pray to God the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Trinitarian). When we are dazed by temptation and confused by our demonic adversaries, it is the Spirit who makes intercession for us (Rom 8:26–27). He who knows the heart of God makes His requests known at the throne of grace. Searching the deep things of God, on the pages of Scripture, the request is for God’s Word to have its good effect.
The good effect of God’s Word is reverence for God. The saint dwells in the fear of the Lord. His mind is set on the Spirit (Rom 8:5–6), who directs the occupied mind to things above (Jn 16:13). The kingdom of God is the interest of the believer, and it is her first pursuit. Having been introduced to God’s Law and Gospel, the child of God longs for grace and truth (Jn 1:14, 17). It is the Word of truth that revives her weary soul.
There is no re-direction for those who are found in Christ Jesus. Once the sinner has been transferred from the domain of darkness and dwells in the presence of the Most High (Col 1:13), his affections are for the things of God and Christ. The things of the world and his love for the world still hold some allure. The Christian knows the power of temptation. He prays, “Deliver me.” He reorders his life. Simplicity and diligence manifest. He takes heaven with violence, throwing off the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.
The desire of God’s royal priest is to labor in the house of the Lord, Christ’s church. His ministries are labors of love, labors as unto he Lord. He delights in prayer, in the study of God’s special revelation to His people, the Bible. He has a song in his heart because he is revived in the presence of the Almighty.
To the Christian, walking on the path of righteousness is the way of revival. It is the way of life lived by the indwelling Spirit (Gal 2:20). It is the Spirit who is willing and doing God’s good pleasure in His regenerate people (Phil 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3). The Spirit causes the Christian to know the unconditional covenant of God’s grace (Ps 25:14). It is the Spirit who causes God’s adopted children to walk in His statutes (Ezek 36:27). Natural men despise the Law of God, but the beloved child’s ambition is to please his Father (2 Cor 5:9). He delights to do God’s will.
The testimonies of God are the revelation of God’s Word and His will. They are the revelation of Himself. God’s will is for His people to dwell in His presence, and He puts His desire in those who belong to Him. They are compelled to pray for alignment to the straight way.
Burdened by the allure of sin, the child seeks correction from his Father, “Turn away my reproach which I dread (Ps 119: 39).” The world is a sea of sin, and it is unwise for God’s child to venture onto that beach. To swim in those waters is to immerse oneself in the greasy slime of undetected pollution. Emerging from the deep, in despair, she only wishes to be clean.
“Wash me, O God, cleanse me with the water of Thy Word…and I shall be clean,” is a prayer of lament and hope. The child of God knows the joy of the Lord. This is her condition of basking in the presence of God. The sheep humbly submits during the shearing process, but the anticipation of being relieved of the burdensome overcoat is enough to entrust herself into the capable hands of the Good Shepherd.
The voice of Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, during the sanctification process, is comforting and endearing. Terms and tones of love for disheveled heaps cause His beloved to enter His rest. He is for us.
The Word cuts away the filthy collection of sin’s debris, accumulated since their previous session together. It is wise for God’s people to keep short accounts with their Master. Christian maturity weens one of wanton wandering. The saints know it is wise to be near their Lord. Victorious living has a vicinity (Ps 23; Jn 10).
Christian, are you weary and heavy laden? Your salvation is near. It is even in you, to be revived to the joy you once knew. Look to God’s Word and be reminded of His imputed righteousness — your right standing before God. Remembering the power of God’s Word, pray His own Words to Him in the Spirit. Psalms, especially, is your prayer book. Because they are God’s song book, too, you can even sing your prayers!
All of God’s spiritual blessings and benefits are yours in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3). To meditate on them is to have them and enjoy them. Do not allow sin to have your eyes, your mind, or your heart. Fervently pray for your Lord to reign in you by His grace (Rom 5:21), so that your thoughts will be captive to Him (2 Cor 10:5); so that your heart will be inclined to Him (Jos 24:23; Ps 119:36, 112); so that your will is in right alignment with His will (Mt 6:10; 26:42; Lk 22:42; Acts 21:14). He alone is able to do these things, and He is willing to do them. Beloved believer, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus — make your requests known to Him, and He will do it (Ps 52:9; 57:2; 138:8; Is 26:12).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 9, 2022
