There are times we just don’t know how to pray for a situation. The apostle Paul said the Holy Spirit can assist us in praying when we don’t know exactly how to pray for a situation: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with gleanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26).
Then there are simple prayers like we find in Psalm 86: “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name” (Ps. 86:11). A simple, yet deep prayer.
Keep in mind the way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 15:9). The way of the transgressor is hard (Prov. 13:15). The way of the ungodly leads to destruction (Ps. 1:6). On the other hand, The way of the Lord is strength to the righteous (Prov. 10:29). The way of the Lord leads to everlasting life (Jer. 21:8). Furthermore, the way of the Lord is a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6). Jesus Christ is not only the Way, but He is also the Truth. Knowing Jesus isn’t just an exercise in intellectual ascent, it is lived out in faith and obedience. The apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 Jn. 1:6).
David said, “unite my heart to fear thy name.” The word “unite” in the Hebrew is “yached,” meaning “to make one.” The remedy for a wandering or divided heart is to be united to Jesus Christ. It is easy for our affections to be split between the world and the Lord. A prayer like David’s where he realizes that he must remain in the Lord or he will wander down the wrong path, should be a petition that we pray daily.
Beloved, let us pray today that we may know God’s ways, walk in His truth, and have our hearts and affections united with Him.