The Most Honest Prayer You'll Hear

Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you’ll ever hear.

Show the world I’m innocent—in your heart you know I am.

Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night—

You’ll find I’m just what I say I am. My words don’t run loose.

I’m not trying to get my way in the world’s way.

I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way.

I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot

In front of the other. I’m not giving up.

This prayer of David in Psalm 17 starts off a bit presumptuous. He calls it the “most honest prayer” God would ever hear! In fact he claims to be right in his own eyes and even goes so far as to presume God knows it too. And then comes the kicker…”go ahead, examine me” he says.

I hate to admit it but I have prayed like this many times too. Asking God to “smite” my enemies and cause me to rise up like a superstar. As I grow older, I realize that I don’t even have to ask Him to examine me because I take a good look at myself whenever I start hearing things like this come out of my mouth. When MY way gets out in front of His way, well that is when the trouble starts. But as soon as He has helped me to settle down, focus on His Word, and take a deep breath, I can once again put one foot in front of the other and start moving forward. I may have stalled. I may even get knocked down but I’m not giving up!

I want to encourage you today to put your whole heart into the things that the Lord speaks to you about. Let your words confirm what He said and keep them positive. And start by putting one foot in front of the other. Don’t you ever give up!