The first part of this chapter is God speaking to David; the last part is David praying to God. Of all the things he said, here is the core. It’s the anatomy of real prayer.
II Samuel 7:27 “For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.”
David found a prayer in his heart. It’s important to understand this. Prayer is, and must be, more than a list. We know what the Lord has and what he does, but often we can treat him with prayer that’s like a shopping list we take to the grocery store. It’s a list of things we want. Prayer is more than asking for things. For it to be real, it must first be found in the heart. Before words ever form on our lips, before any outward expression is made, prayer must be found in the heart. David found it. Whatever we do or say must be done from the heart. We must find it. We must recognize it. Do you need more of a heart to pray?
Satan wants to keep the desire to pray from our heart, but we must have that yearning toward our Savior. David called on the Lord because God moved in his heart. Because of what the Lord had just told David he was going to do for him, David felt more than a “thank you” on his heart. He didn’t just say it and go back to the palace. He went to the tabernacle and sat before the Lord. He felt compelled to seek the Lord. How did this happen? If we had such a compulsion, our lives would be so different. Prayerlessness kills a Christian and kills churches. We read and hear lots of ceremonial prayers, but we need to rediscover prayer in our heart.
David found it. He was looking for it. It wasn’t in a prayer book or on the internet. It wasn’t a rhyme or habit. It was not an intellectual effort. Before it could be a prayer in his mind, it had to be in his heart. God doesn’t pay attention to a prayer that doesn’t come from our heart. Have I found it in my heart? Have you? You use your voice to pray, but do you use your heart? David had a believing heart. He trusted God. It went beyond words. That’s what makes it real. We have to a lot to learn and a lot of room to grow. Our heart needs teaching the most. We need to take God serious. If anything is found in our heart, let it be a prayer.
David’s prayer is given is verses 18-29. It reflects his humility. King David prayed before King Jesus. He knew the little title he had on earth was because of his God. Who owns what we have and who we are? We don’t. God does. Everything we have is but a placebo without the hand of God.
The Lord inclined David’s heart to pray. He inclines us too. He warmed David’s heart with his message. God motivated David first. He took the first step in giving to us. Our response should be from our heart to God’s heart. He’s given us every motivation we need. David found a prayer. May be ever find one upon our heart.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 