Honesty in Prayer Is the Key to Spiritual Restoration

Sep 7

Sep 7 Honesty in Prayer Is the Key to Spiritual Restoration

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word

Honest prayer

Long ago, in my search to know God, I learned the importance of honest prayer. I remember crying out in anger about something in my life, and somehow God assured me—He heard my cry. He heard my heart. He heard me and didn’t reject me.

This was a valuable lesson. Thankfully, I also learned to come to God with a repentant heart and acknowledge my rebellion toward God. He revealed Himself to me and I realized how misdirected my anger was.

Honesty in prayer is essential. God values it. He honors it. But we have a hard time doing it.

By default, we put up a deceptive front. We justify ourselves before we get genuinely honest with ourselves and God. It's just the way we are. None of us like to admit when we’re wrong.

No matter who we are, our first reaction is to be self-defensive, to justify ourselves even with God (Gen 3:11-13). God understands and knows this. It’s ironic since God is omniscient—He knows all there is to know. We can try to hide things from others, but not from God.

When we're ready to get gut-level honest with God, David's confessional prayer in this psalm is a great guide to follow.

Scripture

For the director of music. A psalm of David when the prophet Nathan came to David after David’s sin with Bathsheba.
Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy.
In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts.
Wash me thoroughly from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin.
I admit that I am rebellious. My sin is always in front of me.
I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil.
So you hand down justice when you speak,
and you are blameless when you judge. [vss 1-4]
Indeed, I was born guilty. I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Yet, you desire truth and sincerity.
Deep down inside me you teach me wisdom. [vss 5-6]
Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear ⌞sounds of⌟ joy and gladness. Let the bones that you have broken dance.
Hide your face from my sins, and wipe out all that I have done wrong. [vss 7-9]
Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me.
Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience. [vss 10-12]
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart. [vs 17]
(Psalm 51:1-12, 17 GW) [Context– Psalm 51 / 2 Samuel Chaps 11 and 12]

Psalm 51

Reflections and Insights

This prayerful psalm of King David came after Nathan the prophet confronted him. We find the story in 2 Samuel 12:1-15. David committed adultery and murder, then tried to cover it up (2 Samuel 11). But David’s sin found him out and God confronted him through Nathan.

First, he appeals for God's mercy and love to remove and cleanse his heart of his wrongs. He describes his wrong simply as sin. David is confident in God’s mercy and has an honest understanding of sin.

He acknowledges God’s righteousness and justice. David realizes his sin is against God above all, even though others were victimized by it. David held a true understanding of the nature of sin, as well as the sinful nature of all people.

God considered David to be a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Not because of David’s righteousness, but his genuine trust in God. This prayer of repentance shows what God saw in David’s heart.

He knows what God desires—complete truthfulness—honesty of the heart. Then David appeals for a resolution to his sinful condition. He appeals for an internal rightness in his relationship with God.

He asks for a pure heart and spiritual rightness—a sense of God's closeness and presence. David also asks God to restore "the joy of your salvation," and to give him a willing, submissive heart.

David knows the Lord is his only refuge and source of restoration, so he gets gut-level honest with God. He also understood the nature, value, and purpose of the sacrifices and offerings required by the Law of Moses. We see this in verse 17—

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

David knew what God desires of all of us, even when we sin grievously. God knows us and hears us when we are honest in our prayers.

Reflection—

Are you able to be genuinely honest with God? Even though we sin, God knows us and hears us when we are honest in our prayers. The Lord needs to become our only refuge and primary source of restoration.

Prayer Focus—

When you pray, keep in mind that God already knows you and your situation in life, so be honest with Him. Ask God for an internal witness by His Spirit that He hears your prayers. Ask the Lord to help you realize His presence and power in your life.

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