Prayer is a vital component of a believer’s life. Perhaps you have asked, “What is prayer?” The simple answer is spiritual communication between man and God.
Billy Graham shared this quote about prayer:
At its deepest level, prayer is fellowship with God: enjoying His presence, waiting for His will, thanking Him for His mercies … listening in the silence for what He has to say to us.
Praise: Your Glorious Name
And David said: “Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name.
- 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
King David stood before the entire assembly and offered these words of praise to the Lord. As the leader of his people, David encouraged them to acknowledge the Lord and give thanks for the numerous blessings He had bestowed upon them.
The God of Israel is our Father. He is eternal and exists “forever and ever.” David acknowledged attributes of the Lord: greatness, power, glory, might, majesty, and honor. He led the people in this time of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Perspective: Utter Dependence on the Lord
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You. For we are strangers before You and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own.
- 1 Chronicles 29:14-16
King David and the people of Israel have brought many gifts and offerings to build the house of the Lord. He acknowledges that everything given to the Lord belongs to Him.
This principle forms the foundation of the doctrine of stewardship. Everything we possess comes from and belongs to God. We often overlook this biblical truth (see Psalm 24:1-2). It all belongs to Him!
Petition: Direct Our Hearts to the Lord
I know, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart, I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen Your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to You. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
- 1 Chronicles 29:17-18
David desires his people to have hearts that are fully and genuinely devoted to God. He offers this prayer to the Lord in front of the entire assembly. The people listened as their king prayed for them.
The Lord examines our hearts, knowing every thought and action. Our commitment to the Lord is shown in the ways we live our lives and the offerings we present to Him.
Head to Heart
Lord, we confess that we often fail to offer words of praise to You. King David’s prayer reminds us that everything we have comes from Your gracious and kind hand. We desire to be joyful givers because this brings You great pleasure (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Thank you for King David’s example to guide us in praise and petition. Lord, we seek to see with Your perspective. You desire that each of us present our true and complete selves for Your glory and honor.
Please lead and direct our steps and decisions every day. We pray that our hearts will be firmly set on obeying Your Word and walking in close fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
© 2025 Discover God's Truth Ministries