I have been reading through the book of Psalms for my personal devotions. Psalms is such a rich, emotional treasure trove of beautiful truths about God.
The Psalms are filled with prayers and songs, pleading with God for deliverance, forgiveness, and mercy.
As I was reading Psalm 70, I took away four things to remember when I am praying for deliverance. While this list is not a guide to a perfect prayer, I think that we can all learn a thing or two by studying the prayers of David.
Here are four ways we can pattern our prayers like the king who was known as the man after God’s own heart.
1. Cry out to the Father
1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
2 Let them be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
3 Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”
David begins his prayer with a plea for help and deliverance from his enemies. It may seem foolish to begin with something so painfully obvious but we must not overlook the power of simply asking God for help.
We must run to God.
We can plead with the one who loves us wholly and knows us deeply.
2. Rejoice in the Father’s salvation
4 May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
Even in the turmoil and stress of the impending ruin, David took time to rejoice in God. David knew that there is great joy to be found in God.
We can find comfort in that.
Even when we approach God with our hurts and fears, we must not forget to find joy in proclaiming His goodness and love.
3. Know who you are
5a But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
David approached the throne of grace with appropriate and honest humility. We are not entitled. We are not sufficient.
We need help.
When we pray for deliverance, there is no room for pride. We will only see the true glory of the Father when we realize the depth of our need for Him.
4. Know who God is
5b You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!
David does not waver in his prayer to his God. He is confident.
We too can and should pray to God with such confidence.
He is our help. God is a mighty deliverer, able to save us from any enemy. Our prayers should reflect our knowledge and hope in God.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of how to pray, but I found these reminders helpful for my own prayer life.
I do not know what you may be facing today, friends. We live in a broken and painful world where we often find ourselves in need of help and hope.
The next time you find yourself in a place where you need deliverance, remember how our brother David prayed.
Confidently seek the Father.
He is still listening.
-Alathia
Scripture quoted from the ESV
Alathia Hayes 
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