Psalms 5:1-3 - Homiletics

Prayer.

"Give ear," etc. There are prayers, some of the most fervent and spiritual, which refuse words, and need not language ( Romans 8:26 ). But God, who hath given speech as the glory of our nature and the principal instrument of human progress, will have us consecrate it to this highest use-converse with our Maker, the Father of our spirits.

I. PRAYER IS PERSONAL CONVERSE WITH GOD . "My voice shalt thou hear" ( Psalms 5:3 ). On this turns the whole reality, efficacy, spiritual benefit, of prayer.

1 . Reality. We are not speaking into the air; or to an Infinite Impersonal Power that takes no heed; but to the living God. "He that planted the ear ," etc. ( Psalms 94:9 ). To the Father of spirits ( Luke 11:13 ).

2 . By efficacy of prayer we mean, not that prayer has a virtue or power of its own, not that God needs instructing what to give, or persuading to give. The very power to pray comes from him. But the earnest desire and pleading request of his children have real value in his sight; as they must have, if "God is love." True, God knows what we need, better than we do; but fervour of desire, perseverance and patient faith in asking, accompanied with childlike resignation to his will, are often the very conditions of its being wise and right ( and therefore possible ) for God to grant what we ask.

3 . The spiritual benefit of prayer is no doubt its chief blessing. Nothing else could bring the soul so near to God. But this benefit turns on its reality and efficacy. God might have given promises without inviting or permitting us to pray; but faith claims and pleads his promises in prayer.

II. PRAYER SHOULD HAVE ITS SET SEASONS , though it should not be confined to any. "In the morning," i.e. every morning. Our day should begin with God (comp. Psalms 55:17 ; Daniel 6:10 ).

III. THE HABIT OF PRAYER MUST BE MAINTAINED BY HOLY PURPOSE , STEADFAST RESOLVE . "Will I direct," etc.; order and arrange it, gathering up all my powers to this great employment, this glorious privilege, as happy as holy. God's ear is not chained to a careless prayer, of which the offerer himself makes no account.