by Pastor Rich Carlson

Prayer is an interesting tool, often used but seldom really understood in my quest to connect with God. Like "worship," which I believe really should be used to direct my attentions and affections heavenward, the goal of prayer, as I see it, is also to connect with God and learn His will and ways. But too often I develop my "expectations" for worship and prayer around what pleases me, what I want, and what's in it for me!

Now, I don't think it's wrong to enjoy worship or to ask for things I want in prayer, but sometimes I need to refocus. Which is most important in worship and in prayer, my will or God's? Psalm 25 helps me keep my priorities in prayer. I’m going to take the liberty to italicize key words to make a point. This is what I found this morning in my time with God:

To You O Lord, I lift up my soul. In You I trust. No one who waits on You will be put to shame. Show me Your ways. Teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth. Remember Your great mercy and love. According to Your love remember me, For You are good, and upright is the Lord. He guides the humble in what is right. He teaches them His way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful. For the sake of Your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquities. (selected from Psalm 25:1-11)

Then there is a list of requests that David makes to his Maker (verses 16-21), but they are all couched in: "Because my hope is in You." (verse 21) This reminder helped me refocus my praying and reprioritize my petitions.

When I focus on God, I'm lifted up and my praise and worship of Him cause a new view and a renewed confidence that He is going to guide me and lead me the way He wants. I come away blessed, which might sound like the selfishness I was speaking against at the beginning, but for me it seems to be the by-product and not the goal of prayer and worship. If I focus on God, my foundation becomes more sure.

Have a great day letting Him lead and bless you because you are directing your prayers and your praise to Him.

Rich Carlson is the campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. God is Faithful is adapted from the daily email devotionals Rich writes for the Union College family.