Young Adults' Group

Ending The Day In Prayer

by Pastor Mark
July 19, 2018

Taking time to pray

Each day, we want to take time to pray. The morning is a good time for us to start the day in prayer. We can look to the Lord and to focus on Him as we prepare ourselves for the day. Another good time for us to pray is in the evening. After going through the challenges of the day, we hope to prepare ourselves for a good night’s rest. King David not only took time to pray in the morning (Psalm 5) but also in the evening. Psalm 4 is often called the Evening Psalm which reflected how David sought to end the day in prayer.

Addressing the challenges of the day

What were some of the challenges that David had to go through in the day? As King, David had many enemies. This was a concern that he had as he prayed, “How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?” (Ps 4:2) The enemies sought to turn the glory of David’s kingship to shame. What they sought to do was worthless and false. How did David deal with this problem?

1. The prayer for God to hear

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” (Ps 4:1)

David turned his concerns about his enemies into prayer…knowing that God hears his prayer. He called out to God who had made him righteous. The Lord had heard his prayer before by giving him relief in his past distresses. He prayed for mercy and asked the Lord to hear his prayer.

2. The focus on God

What was David’s focus as he prayed? He focused on the Lord.

a. The Lord has set apart for Himself those who are godly (Ps 4:3)

The Lord had specially chosen those who would be His people. They are those who are godly. God would specially set them apart. David identified himself with the godly.

b. To ask the Lord to lift up His countenanceon the godly (Ps 4:6)

The countenance of the Lord is a reference to the Lord’s favour. David sought for the Lord to lift up His favour on those who call out to Him in faith. Let us be challenged to look to the Lord’s favour in prayer.

Meditating on the Lord before we rest

“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” (Ps 4:4)

David took time to meditate. He was understandably troubled and upset with the enemies. It was possible for him to be angry and not sin. He learnt to meditate within his heart about the Lord before he slept. He learnt to be still before Him. When we fill our minds with the Lord and His word, we can find stillness in Him. It is in being still that we can find rest in the Lord. Let us be challenged to meditate on the Lord and to be still.

The result of prayer

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Ps 4:8)

Through prayer, David was able to lie down in peace and to sleep. He had every confidence in the Lord as his protector from his enemies. There was peace in his heart. He was assured of his safety. Through prayer, David was able to end the day well finding solace and rest. Let us be challenged to end each day taking time to be with the Lord in prayer.

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