There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 57
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. [Psalms 57:5]
David is in trouble, his soul is deeply troubled.
He begins his prayer with a prayer for protection,. but soon his theme becomes God’s glory.
“May Your reputation be known all over the world through me!
Let all people watch and see how You work, and may they join me in singing about how great You are!”
As hard as things are, as tough as things get, David responds by “waking up” his heart and soul to praise God.
How should we pray?

Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” [John 12:27-28]
Same situation, Jesus’ soul is deeply troubled, He is overwhelmed by what is happening to Him, and what is going to happen soon.
How should He pray… Father save me, protect me?
No, His purpose is not to be safe or comfortable, His purpose is to give up His life for God’s glory and our good!
Instead of praying for protection or comfort, Jesus prays that God will use Him to exalt God’s reputation, to glorify His Name!

How should we pray, how do we pray?
God bless me, God help me, God give me… heal me, show me, save me… me, me, me.
Its not about me, its not just about my comfort or strength or safety or blessing.
If we are confident in God, then our prayers should reflect that.
It may not come naturally at first, but then we have to “wake up” our soul so that we start focusing on God, not on “me!”

When I am in trouble, when I am struggling, when I am overwhelmed, when I am afraid, when I am under attack, what should I pray?
Father, bring glory to Your Name!
This is the kind of prayer that God loves to answer: I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.
In other words, if I surrender my life and circumstances to God, He will work out the outcome in such a way that He will look good, and many people, including ourselves, will be ultimately blessed.
It may not be an easy path, but it will be a glorious destination!

PRAYER:
Lord, today I am tired, overwhelmed by all that needs to be done, and not feeling the energy to see it through. Should I pray, “save me from this?” No, this is the reason I am here, therefore I choose to pray “glorify Your Name through me!”