Psalm 13 (ESV)

1How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul

    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

    light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

    lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord,

    because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Study and Reflection Questions:

In Keller’s book, Prayer, chapter 14 focuses on the third of three primary categories of prayer. The three types are, “upward” prayer, “inward” prayer, and “outward” prayer. This week’s chapter focuses on “outward” prayer; also referred to as petition, supplication, or “asking God for help.”

Read Psalm 13. The psalmist is expressing distress because he feels that God has not heard his petitions for help against enemies. Have you ever felt like this; that God is not listening to your pleas for assistance and help with your enemies? There are many kinds of “enemies” we face in this world. Name some types of “enemies” that one might ask, or petition, God to help them overcome.  

Keller, in this chapter, makes a point that prayers of supplication need to be a struggle; they need to be “strenuous petitions.” As Keller writes, “Prayer has been called, ‘rebellion against the world’s evil status quo.’ ” (Keller, pg.223). Ephesians 6:18 lists prayer as a weapon in our spiritual warfare against the forces of evil. What do you observe in Psalm 13 that gives indication of this being a strenuous, bold, and impassioned prayer to God? (hint: focus on the first 4 verses)

In this chapter, Keller also affirms that we should pour out our hearts’ desires to God. However, it always needs to be viewed in the context of what is agreeable to God’s will. In other words, we should be asking God for things that fulfill both our desires and His will and wisdom (c.f. James 4:2-3). If what we are requesting seems contrary to God’s character and teaching then we need to seriously reflect upon the motivations of our heart (Keller, pg. 226). How does this change the way you will talk to God about the things you would like to see happen in your life and in the lives of those you are praying for?

If we step back and view this Psalm in the context of the history of Jewish faith and New Testament Christianity we observe a prayer that precedes the birth of Jesus Christ by about 1000 years. Discuss how this Psalm of prayer is an ultimate example of God answering prayer in a way, or manner, that the Jewish people did not expect. Note that this Psalm is foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Discuss and reflect upon how God answers the Psalmist’s petition for deliverance from enemies in a much grander way than the Psalmist could ever imagine. In what ways does this example personally impact your perspective on prayer?