Scripture Reading : Psalm 86
Theme : Great is God
- Prayer for Protection (1–7). David acknowledges that he is poor, needy, and godly. Poor in the Bible is often not just referring to economic poor, but someone who is oppressed by others and is dependent on God and humble; therefore, godly. In Israel, there aren’t supposed to be any poor because of God’s good laws (Deut. 15:3). Poverty is the result of national or individual sins, such oppression of the weak or just being lazy. David is oppressed/poor and asks for God’s help because he knows God is gracious, forgiving and loving. God helps the godly. A godly person is not a perfect person, but someone who is committed to worship and obey God and being dependent on God’s forgiveness and love.
- Praise for Power (8–13). David knows whom he is praying to. He is not praying to an idol or to gods/fallen angels who rule the world. He is praying to the true God of the world, who rule these fallen angels. The God whom all the nations will one day worship. God is great in power and He is also great in His character of steadfast love toward His people. Therefore, David will praise God and pray to Him.
- Petition for Strength (14–17). He prays for God to give him strength and deliver him from his enemies. They are not just his enemies, but they are also God’s enemies because they are evil and do not worship God and oppress God’s people. They will be put to shame.
Praying the Scripture
God is the ruler and manager of the whole world. This world is broken and God is in the process of fixing things through Jesus. Until Jesus returns this world will always be broken. There will always be trouble for believers, especially when believers seek to live godly lives in an oppressed society. But know that God will still help us in all and every trouble we have on earth. He is gracious to deliver us and comfort us in all our suffering and troubles. Whether you have marriage issues, work problems, relational tensions or sickness, God is there to comfort and help you if you cry out to Him. He is always trying to mold you into the image of Christ. Pray you will always be dependent and needy on God and be devoted to pray to God daily.
经文：诗篇86
主题：神为大
- 为保守的祷告（1-7）。大卫承认自己是困苦、穷乏和虔诚的。困苦在圣经里不单是指金钱上的穷乏，也指一个被人欺压但依靠神与谦卑的人；这人因此是虔诚的。实际上，以色列不应该有贫穷人，因为神的律法是好的（申15:3）。贫困是基于国家或个人的罪；他们压迫弱者或纯属懒散。大卫被压迫而困苦，因此他祈求神的帮助，因为他知道神是有恩典、饶恕和慈爱的。神帮助虔诚的人。一个虔诚的人不是完美的人，而是一个尽忠于敬拜和顺从神的人，同时也依靠神的饶恕和慈爱。
- 为大能的赞美（8-13）。大卫知道他向谁祷告。他不是向偶像或诸神（即掌管世界的堕落天使）祷告。他是向世界的真神祷告，也就是掌管这些堕落天使的那一位。祂即是万国最终将敬拜的。神有大能；祂向子民展现坚定之爱的美德也是伟大的。因此，大卫会赞美神并向祂祷告。
- 为力量的请求（14-17）。大卫请求神给他力量，并从敌人手中搭救他。由于他们是邪恶的，他们不只是大卫的敌人，也是神的敌人。他们并不敬拜神，反而欺压神的子民。他们将受到羞愧。
用经文祷告
神统治并掌管全世界。这个世界是堕落的，而神正在通过耶稣修复这世界。直到耶稣再来，这个世界将一直处在堕落的阶段。信徒会一直面对困难，尤其是当信徒要在一个受逼迫的社会里活出虔诚生命的时候。但我们务必知道神一定会在所有困难中帮助我们。祂以恩典拯救我们，在我们受苦和困难中也安慰我们。无论你面对婚姻问题、工作问题、关系上的矛盾或疾病，神一定在你呼叫祂时给予安慰和帮助。祂一直都在塑造你，使你更像基督。请求你会一直依靠神，并且天天热衷于向神祷告。
