Psalm 119:145-152 “I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes. I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes. I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words. My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word. Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances. They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law. You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth. Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.”

There is an interesting way of looking at this passage. Have you ever been at a place in your life when you’ve not been following God, and it got bad enough that you finally turned to Him? And in turning back to Him you try to bargain? “Lord, help me and I’ll make sure to obey your Word!”

Genesis 28:18-22 “Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top. He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Jacob vowed a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and the LORD will be my God, then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.’ ”

But perhaps what is here is simply a reflection of the Psalmist’s heart: “I’m in trouble. Please answer me! I’ll continue to keep your word while I wait.” In fact, if we look at this as a template for prayer, we find that we should pray:

• Wholeheartedly
• Without ceasing
• With the Word
• As a reflection of our relationship
• As a recognition of our need for help

For additional worship: I Believe You (Megan Woods)