Teach Me, Lord

She Prays Friday

Welcome to the She Prays Friday edition of the blog, which seeks to be some of the most encouraging FIVE minutes of your Fridays, straight from the Word of God. I’m so glad you are here, and extremely hope-filled that these moments will serve to be a blessing in your life; and that they will encourage you to look toward using the Word of God as a tool in your own devotional life as you pray.

Psalm 86:11-13

Teach me your way, O LORD,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

I really want to focus on verse 11.

Teach me your way, O LORD,
that I may walk in your truth;

There is much for us in the first two lines. It brings to light, at least three contemporary issues.

Issue #1

Sure. You and I can read the Bible, attend Bible study, participate in some spiritual group online, go to church, or even attend Sunday School. We can do all these things and learn more about God—yet never take on His ways or actually walk in His truth. In order to walk these out, day by day, He must illuminate His ways and His truth to us. Otherwise, it’s just ordinary knowledge.

Issue #2

Maybe you’ve got questions–things in your life, like me, that are hanging “out there” that the world is shoving in our faces, and we need to know what the Bible teaches. What should a follower of Jesus believe? How are you and I supposed to discern the matter?

Relying on the Internet is out. Even though my pastor is on target with Scripture, our spiritual leaders do not dictate truth. The Psalmist makes no bones about it. The Lord is to be our teacher.

This is our daily dilemma because whatever is making its way into the headlines, or dominating social media outlets, finding a place in the news and printed articles, is likely not lining up with Scripture. Most of the time, popular opinion runs contrary to the very fabric of Christianity. Holding the questions out and asking them is not the problem, but allowing other sources to influence what you and I in turn, believe–that’s where the rub occurs.

I get it. The temptation is real. I like the societal solutions often better than the Word of God. I find myself in less controversy socially. Frankly, their answers are more palatable than the Bible. What we learn here — is that MY truth will not due. YOUR truth should be rejected. This is what the Psalmist is conveying. In the culture in which we live, you and I desperately need God to teach us.

Issue #3

Too often, I am at a loss for knowing what to do. There are big situations brewing in my life, as they are likely brewing in yours. I haven’t the foggiest how to proceed. I’m in a holding pattern, with nothing to do but wait and trust that these words will be true for me in what is coming for the future. Because I simply don’t know what to do —  I need God to teach me His ways and His truth.

unite my heart to fear your name.

I must say, the Psalmist nails this one. This is a prayer AGAINST his distracted self. He’s all Helter-Skelter in his heart and mind–just like me, and just like you. This line resonates. How I need to bring my thoughts and all that I seek under one focus. To remind me of what is most important — with all my faculties falling under this one banner. Do I need help with this? You bet!

Maybe you do, too.

The following verses are a response to the Psalmist’s request, thanking God with an acknowledgment of Who He is and what He has done in their life. What an instrumental and timely model for us.

Today, I pray for the one who is like me. The one who recognizes her need for bigger answers than she holds — and who wants fervently to stay on the path of biblical truth.

A “Teach Me, Lord” Prayer

Lord,

I come before You, asking for help. There is so much we do not know how to face or which direction to go. And we need You to teach us. Would You use whatever means necessary to teach my friend what to do in the situations she is facing? Whatever that looks like for her, I ask You to make the way known? Make it plain so that she can see it and tell the difference between what You want and everything else. And when ideas or campaigns or promotions come across the landscape of her life, would you give her discernment, leading her to exactly what You say about the issues? Give her courage to stand against her own understanding and that of the majority to follow You, walking in your truth.

In the glorious and powerfully able Name of Jesus,

Amen.

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Thanks for stopping by. I pray we meet again soon.

For His Glory,

Have you discovered Cheri on YouVersion?

She has over TWENTY different reading plans for you to choose from, such as:

Be sure to check out the Stirring Faith Podcast, where you will find encouraging episodes like this one:

You can meet Cheri on the She Yearns blog for more truth-saturated, Gospel-centered encouragement like this: