In this chapter, King Jehoshaphat teaches us how to pray. He outlines two important aspects of prayer that we should practice. 

First, he focused on who God is. He drew on what God had done in the past. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What he does today is entirely consistent with what he has done throughout history. Look at verses 6 and 7:

He said: “LORD, God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?
Power and might are in your hand, and no one can stand against you.
Are you not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel
and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”

He acknowledged that God is in charge here, and we are not. He is the Almighty. He is perfectly powerful. He has no equal. No one can challenge him and prevail. He is a friend to those who follow his path. 

Second, he focused on what only God can do. Look at verse 12:

“Our God, will you not judge them?
For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us.
We do not know what to do, but we look to you.”

Jehoshaphat confessed they were powerless against the vast army arrayed against them. He was confident of the people’s powerlessness and in God’s powerful hand to save, protect, and defend them. God alone could do what had to be done. The king did not know what to do but to look to God. His prayer here sounds like Psalm 121:1,

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. 
Where will my help come from? 
My help comes from the LORD, 
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer began by acknowledging God for who he is and concluded by asking him to do what only he could. That’s good praying. 

When you need to pray and don’t know what to say, focus on who God is and trust him for what only he can do. 

—

I will pray focused on who God is and what only he can do.

—

Our Father, you are our Creator, Savior, and Deliverer. You are All-Powerful. You are Almighty. You are Good. I am easily overwhelmed by the challenges of this life. May my problems always drive me back to you. May I find there your clear directions, your perfect provision, and grace for whatever I face. Amen.