psalms expedition

Let’s learn together

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. Psalms 86:11

I attended a pastors' group meeting yesterday. As we talked through a hermeneutical discussion about intent, meaning, and posture, one of the pastors made a statement that resonated with me: "The Psalms teach us how to pray." While this statement was not entirely new to me, it sparked a pressing question: "How? How do the Psalms teach us to pray?"

Every Spring, I find myself drawn to explore the Psalms. This Spring, I am excited to explore how the Psalms might guide and inform our approach to prayer.

We will begin with Psalms 86:11

In Psalms 86:11, David prayed, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” This psalm is a prayer of dependence on God and a plea for Him to guide and teach us in His ways.

David recognized that to stay on the right path, he needed to have an undivided heart towards God. And this is something that we can all relate to. How often do we struggle with distractions and temptations that pull us away from God's will for our lives? How often do we find ourselves divided in our loyalty and devotion to God?

Having an undivided heart means being completely devoted to God and His ways. It means seeking Him primarily and surrendering our will and desires to His. It means trusting in His plans and purposes for our lives, even when they may not align with our own. It means being willing to let go of anything that hinders us from fully living out our faith.

So, how can we cultivate an undivided heart towards God? It starts with prayer and a willingness to ask God to teach us His ways. Next, we can approach God with open hearts, ready to listen and learn. We can humble ourselves and determine to center our lives around God’s Word and allow it to shape and guide us. We can be intentional in our daily choices, ensuring that our actions and decisions align with God's will for our lives. And when we do stumble and fall, we must not be discouraged, but rather, confess and turn back to God for His forgiveness and strength to keep pressing forward.

As we embark on our quest for learning how the Psalms teach us to pray, let us remember the words of Psalm 86:11, and make it our prayer.

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me undivided heart to revere your name.