PSALM 86:5 – For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

Why pray? Ever think about that question? Well, here are four reasons; we are commanded to pray–Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17); we are exhorted by the Lord Jesus to pray – And Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1); we desperately need the help from prayer – You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many (2 Corinthians 1:11); and we are given a desire to pray – O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1). So, from the “why” pray to the confidence in praying.

What consistently, fervently, and believingly motivates us to pray to the Lord? What is the number one thing to embrace that keeps us seeking the Lord with a child-like confidence in Him hearing and answering our prayers? Obviously, we cling to the promise of our Lord Jesus – Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:12-14). But the promise must be tied to the Promiser, and in today’s scripture, we see in David what motivates a child of God to approach Him in prayer with child-like confidence: the character of the Promiser.

There are three qualities mentioned in our God that warm the heart, renew the mind, and move us to seek Him in prayer. And notice how David ends today’s scripture. He does so with a promise that God will show Himself in all three of these qualities to the one seeking Him in prayer–to all who call upon You. Now, here is the God we pray to . . .

God is good. God is forgiving. God is abounding in steadfast love. Remembering all of these traits in His Person will keep our hearts and minds seeking Him in prayer. God is good builds confidence that He is approachable in prayer. Good points to gentleness which means we may come to Him never fearing rejection. God is forgiving and this is such wonderful news for the one praying because we don’t come sinless. And He receives us with a forgiving heart so we may come to Him in prayer. Finally, God is abounding in steadfast love and that sustains us in prayer because it reveals His desire for us to come. His abounding steadfast love says, “I want to fellowship with you. I want you to seek Me in prayer for I love you with My steadfast love.”

Motivations to prayer? There are many but none more sustaining than the character of our God; He is good, forgiving and loving. Let those truths keep us seeking Him in prayer with an earnest desire to get as close to Him as a human being may!

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for being good, forgiving, and loving that prompts my prayers to You.”

QUOTE: “Let the character of God be the constant motive and sustainer of your prayer life.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim