A Prayer for Obedience: Psalm 119:1-8–Supplication through the Scriptures


A Prayer for Obedience

Psalm 119:1-8

There is no hope of obedience to Him in our actions unless He is enshrined in our affections.
Spurgeon

Israel’s first king, Saul, is the classic illustration for the importance of obedience to the Lord. Many are familiar with the Samuel’s words, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭22‬). The Lord had commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Yet, when Saul had defeated them, he spared the king and the best of the animals. Being deceived in his own mind, Saul thought his disobedience was excusable, even acceptable and honorable, because he had disobeyed in order to use the animals as a sacrifice to the Lord. However, his disobedience showed his heart for the Lord. Samuel called Saul’s disobedience “evil in the sight of the Lord”(15:19) and told Saul, “You have rejected the word of the Lord” (15:23). 

How easy it is to cloak our own disobedience to the Lord in acceptable and justifiable terms when really our disobedience is the same as Saul’s: evil in the sight of the Lord and a rejection of His Word. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). If we keep His commandments we will abide in His love, bear much fruit, and ask whatever we wish and it will be done for us (John 15:7-10). Our love for Him means we will obey Him. How much of our behavior, words, and attitudes are we excusing? Have we become comfortable in our disobedience? Let’s pray for a deep love for our Lord and steadfast obedience to His Word. 

119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 
Pray:
▫️I would walk in the law of the Lord so that my way is blameless. 
▫️As I read Your Word, show me areas in my life where I do not do as You have commanded. Is there sin that comes to mind right now? Take time to confess. Has the Lord helped you obey Him in a particular area? Give Him thanks for helping you to grow in Christlikeness.

119:2-3 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 
Pray:
▫️I would be blessed in keeping Your testimonies.
▫️I would seek You with my whole heart, with sincerity, putting away any idols. Your Word would reveal to me where I am not putting You first.
▫️Give me a whole heart of fervent love for You that empowers my obedience.
▫️I would walk in Your ways and be kept from doing wrong. Throughout the day, Your Word would come to my mind so that I will walk according to it when I’m tempted to stray.

119:4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 
Pray:
▫️I would diligently obey Your Word. I would not make excuses for my sinfulness. I would not half-heartedly follow You. I would not only do some of what You have said, but rather I would be consistent and persistent in keeping Your precepts. 
▫️I would view obedience to You and Your Word in the same way that You do. “Oh, for a tender conscience that will not willfully neglect or presumptuously transgress!” (Spurgeon)

119:5-6 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 
Pray:
▫️My heart’s cry is, “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!” If I love You, I will obey Your commandments (John 14:15). Increase my love for You and my obedience to You. 
▫️Help me to be diligent to keep my eyes fixed on Your commandments. What distractions keep you from the Word? What bad habits? Is there a practice you can incorporate into your life to turn your attention back to His Word throughout the day?
▫️Help me to view my disobedience as You do: as evil in Your sight and a rejection of Your Word.

119:7-8 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!”
Pray:
▫️Teach me, O Lord, Your righteous rules. Though I am counted righteous because I am clothed with Christ, yet I am not practically righteous in my behavior. Let Your righteous rules shape me to live righteously. Is there an area of sinfulness that needs to be reshaped by His Word? What Scriptures could you read and think on to help you?

Pray for the Lord’s faithful help so that you will keep His statutes that you will see and learn this year as you follow Him.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All right reserved.

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Photo credit to jmuniz

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