“Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.”
- Psalm 143:1 -

Before he can expect God to act in his favor by rescuing him from the latter (vs 3,9,12), he cries to God for mercy and the forgiveness of his own sins (vs 1–2). This is most instructive for us about how we should pray at times of great difficulty.

Here, we learn that we should base our plea on God’s ‘faithfulness and righteousness’ (v 1) instead of our own righteousness. For Christians this means praying to God in the name of Jesus, believing that God will hear us because of the new covenant in Christ’s blood that pardons and cleanses us.

David takes great comfort, reminding himself of God’s past deliverances (v 5). That encourages him to trust God for his help in the present circumstances. It is God alone who can provide him with guidance and shelter now (vs 8–10). There are times when we need God to show us what we can or should do. At other times there is nothing we can or should do but rest in God’s ‘unfailing love’ (vs 8,12). These two words translate the Hebrew hesed, a grace-filled love based on God’s covenant promise never to leave or forsake his people – the best resting-place of all!

Prayer: Amazing God, in Christ I no longer fear condemnation or separation. In the face of this I cannot contain my praise.

(From Encounter with God)