A prayer for Life

 Read Psalm 119:33-40.

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The prayer continues in this fifth stanza.  Twice, the writer cries out for "life."  The old King James translated the word "quicken" and modern translations use the word "revive."  The meaning has to do with preservation of one who is experiencing great discouragement or threatening sickness.

In the first seven verses, there are seven prayer requests.  Each one carries a resultant commitment or effect.
1. Teach me.
The purpose of being taught the Scriptures is to obey them.
2. Give me understanding.
Beyond knowing what God has said is having discernment to apply it to one's life.
3. Lead me.
Asking the LORD to guide is commonly prayed by believers.  But this request includes a predetermined attitude of delight in following God's leadership.
4. Incline my heart.
Without that inner commitment to obey God's Word, one will naturally turn to self-pleasing behaviors.  A selfish life ultimately produces emptiness.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment." (1 Timothy 6:6)
5. Turn my eyes.
It is inescapable that what we use our eyes to read or view has effect on thinking, speech and behavior.  There is no difficulty in finding an endless supply of worthless things to see and waste the time God has graciously given us.  Investing time looking into the Scriptures is life-giving with eternal consequences.
6. Confirm...your promise.
Every day, and throughout the day, God is at work.  He demonstrates His provision for us, His care of us, His protection and His love.  A hardened heart misses this constant intervention.  A spiritually sensitive heart not only enjoys this moment by moment interaction with God, but lives a life of awe and respect for His presence.
7. Turn away the reproach.
As in the last stanza, we are not told what the threat to his well-being was.  He prayed for God to take it away and in doing so that the LORD would show to all that His decisions are good and right.

May our prayer be: Give us this kind of life.