Asking for Attention

Scripture:
God, hear my cry;
pay attention to my prayer.
Psalm 61:1

Observation: This psalm begins like the most common of prayer - an appeal to God to simply listen. The first request of this prayer, and one that anyone who prays can relate with, is simply to ask God to hear us ... to see us ... to consider us just enough to hear our appeal.

Application: Our greatest fear, I think, is being unworthy of God's notice. This isn't a Christian emotion. The unfaithful who question God's existence - in their moments of desperation and hope - pray that God is just there and will care enough to listen and help. Hoping that God cares is core within all humans. Wondering if he cares enough is the source of doubt regarding faith. Doubting his level of attention and care is a sign of shaky belief. Fretting about his timing is common for believers without a lot of direct experience with God.

So we ask God to listen ... to hear our cry, pay attention to our prayer, see our actions, have concern for our circumstance. The truth is, God never takes his eyes off of us, and never shuts his ears to our us. It is completely common to worry about this - clearly even bible authors did - but we can be assured God's love produces his full attention up our words and actions.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your love. Sometimes I wish you didn't see or hear me. However, I am thankful that you care, that you listen, and that you know of our cries and challenges. I know you will watch over myself and my family this day. Please grant us your portion and provision this day, and allow us to serve others out of your abundant love. Amen.