Verse of the Day – Psalm 4:1

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

—Psalm 4:1

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

At first, this cry for help seems very demanding by those of us who are praying to God. Closer inspection shows that this is really a cry of desperation — Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. Have you been there? I surely have, and I regularly hear from folks who are there right now. But, dear friend in Jesus, read how this whole psalm. What is the secret to surviving a long agony? I believe three things are important, and they are found in this psalm:

1. Honesty in our prayer life with God (Psalm 4:1-2).
2. Confidence that God hears and cares even when our prayers sizzle with pain and frustration (Psalm 4:3-5).
3. Genuine praise for God that is included in our prayers even when things seem bleak, others oppose us, and God feels distant (Psalm 4:6-8).

Such an approach to prayer is not a magical formula but a Spirit-inspired one — check it out in Psalm 4:1-8!

My Prayer…

O God, please hear our cries for relief and the relief of all who yours in agony from their burdens and suffering because of their faith. Please answer in amazing and miraculous ways so that we may not only be relieved but may also glorify you. We pray that those who see you working in the lives of ordinary and desperate people will come to find refuge in you, too, even if they have mocked us. Please, dear LORD, don’t let those who mock your people and seek false gods triumph over those seeking to honor you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today’s Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.

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