At times I pray and feel like I’m talking to the ceiling. I hope God hears me, but I doubt if it’s doing any good.

But in my doubt I’m in good company. King David (a man after God’s own heart), also struggled with prayer. At one point he pleaded with God to wake-up: O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.

David understood that the only person who could give him what he needed was the Lord. He just wanted God to notice. A few lines later David added, I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

I love the image of David asking the Lord to pause, lean over, and give attention to his prayers. It’s what we all want, isn’t it?

God indeed hears. A later psalm also attributed to David ends with this: But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Go ahead. Ask the Lord to bend down and listen to your prayers. The Lord pays attention, even when our feelings tell us otherwise. The ceiling is no barrier to the unfailing love of our marvelous God.

Psalm 17 & Psalm 66

Photo by Shawn Reid