The first half of Psalm 85 provides a great framework for your prayers, whether you're praying for yourself, for others, or for Christ's Church throughout the world. You may find this prayer format most helpful during times when you feel as though God is not listening to you or may not seem to be answering your prayers.
1 Lord, You were favorable to Your land;
You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
You covered all their sin.
3 You withdrew all Your wrath;
You turned from Your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away Your indignation toward us!
5 Will You be angry with us forever?
Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 Will You not revive us again,
that Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us Your salvation.
In the first three verses, the psalmist reminds God of His past blessings, most importantly God's covering & forgiving the sins of His people. What will happen if you pause and reflect on the blessings God has poured out upon you, especially His forgiveness of your sins, anew every morning? No doubt, we all would speak boldly to God: Restore me again, O God of my salvation!
In verses five and six this pattern repeats again, but we can almost hear an echo to the psalmist's words.
Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
You haven't before...
Will You not revive us again... ...like You've done before?
In verse seven, you can feel the psalmist's confidence in his Lord, who will respond in love and forgiveness, like He has always done before. This great confidence is yours too! Count on it, from Your Lord, the God of your salvation!
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