Psalm 34:2-5 reads, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.”
Verse two starts us off by reminding us of the power of communal prayer. Jesus reiterates this himself in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 18. In verses 19 and 20, he says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” When is the last time that you prayed with someone else? Praying together as a couple, a small group, or a family can be so impactful; it can also be encouraging to hear the way that others communicate with God and to hear them lift up praises and requests on your behalf.
Let’s jump down to the last verse of the passage in verse 5. Does that first part of the last verse sound familiar? Think about the last time you prayed to the Lord in desperation. Maybe you were worried that you wouldn’t have enough money for rent; maybe you were terrified of failing an exam; or you were anxious to tell your spouse some bad news. In those moments, we cry out and ask God to just do something, please. Even though God may not respond in the way we want or expect, we can take comfort in knowing God hears and understands the heart behind every single one of those desperate prayers.
Reflection/Discussion Questions: When was the last time you prayed in desperation? Did God respond in the way you expected?
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