My prayers usually focus on what I need God to do for me. Things like rain, health and healing for a friend, grace to deal with the frustrations of the day.

I pray for my children and their children. I pray for salvation for the lost and the right words for my lips.

I pray about countertops and septic tanks and my husband traveling untold miles each week.

I pray for peace in hearts and comfort for my friends who labor in grieving. I pray for relief for those in pain.

I pray for God’s will to be completed on the Earth and His kingdom to come, knowing there is no other solution to the massive spiritual warfare that wages in this world and attacks our souls.

The needs are so great, and my voice is small – but I pray.

All that sounds pretty comprehensive and maybe even spiritual, but I am missing something.

David captures the thought in Psalm 29. While I spend a lot of time focusing on needs – real, life-altering, necessary needs – I don’t GIVE God much in my prayers. In other words, I fail to honor with my words what He has done and what He is doing.

David says:

“Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (verses 1, 2)

David then goes on to recite so many things that the voice of God does and can do.

• His glory thunders.
• He is powerful and full of majesty.
• He is so strong that He can break cedars with His voice and cause them to skip.
• He can strike with bolts of lightning and shake the wilderness,
• yet, he is gentle to oversee the birth of the animals.

There is only one response to His power and majesty and beauty and holiness and strength.

GLORY and HONOR! He is forever!

And, you know what? He will give strength to His people and bless His people with peace (verse 11).

He will.

Perhaps I need to take David’s direction and focus my prayer on WHO God is. Then my petitions will fall into their proper place.

Psalm 29:¹¹ The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Photo – Sky View, Beth Mims