Psalm 54:4-6 
Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
in your faithfulness destroy them.
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. (NIV)

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Another lesson in how to pray is found in these verses. King David doesn’t mince words. He starts with a passionate plea:

“Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭54‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He begins his prayer with an appeal to God’s nature and character. God’s name represents his essence. It reminds us of his power.

David goes on and acknowledges God’s purposeful presence.

Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me. 

He recalls how God has acted on his behalf in the past and asks God to respond in the same manner now.

Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
in your faithfulness destroy them.

David anticipates thanksgiving and praise for how God will deliver him.

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.

Pray with passion.

Acknowledge God’s presence and purpose.

Recall how God has intervened in the past and trust him to do so again.

Prepare in advance your thanksgiving for what he will do and your praise for who he is.

This is good praying.

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I will learn these new prayer lessons.

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Our Father, you have always taken care of me. I trust you will do so again now and forever. As you have intervened before, do so again. As you have led me forward through problems of all kinds, lead me again now. I look forward to offering you my thanksgiving. I look forward to singing your praise. Amen.