Today's Verse: Psalm 4:1

Thursday, April 1, 2004

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
— Psalm 4:1
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

At first, this cry for help seems very demanding of us on God. Closer inspection shows that this is really a cry of desperation. Have you been there? I surely have, and I regularly hear from folks who are there now. But, dear friend in Jesus, read how this Psalm ends! What is the secret to surviving a long agony? I believe three things are important:
  1. Honesty in our prayer life with God.
  2. Confidence that God hears and cares even when our prayers sizzle with pain and frustration.
  3. Genuine praise for God that is included in our prayers even when things seem bleak and God feels distant.
Such an approach to prayer is not a magical formula but a Spirit-inspired one - check it out in Psalm 4!

My Prayer...

O God, please hear my cry for relief and the relief of those I love who are in agony from their burdens and suffering. Please answer in amazing and miraculous ways so that we may not only be relieved, but you may be glorified by those who see you working in the lives of ordinary but desperate people. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Hear My Prayer
Illustration of Psalm 4:1
Inspirational illustration of Psalm 4:1 -- Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Calm Down
Article by Alan Smith
Feeling a little stressed? Try this... Sometimes we need a little admonition to calm our souls, even if it is self-administered.

Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 4:1 — Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 1, 2004

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Solly Ozrovech:
"Christ demands that the driving force in your life must be love. All other things, although important, are secondary. Love is the sign of true discipleship."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spirit Vision' (Ek. 11:24)
"The Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel] up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia in the vision given by the Spirit of God. "
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Immutable Oath' (He. 6:13-7:28)
"Dear Father, King above all rule and authority on earth, Thank you for your holy and sure promises. Your oath is immutable. In these things in which...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'The Lord Is My Savior, Shield, Refuge, and Stronghold'
"Thank the Lord, my rock, who trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle, my merciful one, my fortress, my stronghold, and my savior, my..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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