Praying with Psalm 86: Finding Comfort in God’s Faithfulness
Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed and desperately needed to talk to God? Like, the kind of moment where your heart is so heavy you can barely put two words together? I’ve been there too, friend! That’s when I turn to the psalms – especially Psalm 86 – which feels like finding the perfect words when my own words fail.
The Beauty of Psalm 86 as a Prayer Template
Psalm 86 isn’t just another chapter in the Bible – it’s a prayer blueprint from David himself! It’s like having a heart-to-heart conversation template with God when you’re feeling low.
David starts this prayer feeling pretty down in the dumps. He calls himself “poor and needy” right off the bat. Talk about honesty! But here’s what I love most – David doesn’t stay in that sad place. As he prays, his faith grows stronger, and by the end, he’s praising God with his whole heart!
This psalm teaches us an amazing prayer pattern that I use all the time:
- Start by being honest about where you are
- Remember who God is (merciful, full of grace, faithful)
- Ask boldly for what you need
- End with praise and thanksgiving
My personal experience: Last year when I lost my job (hello, unexpected life change!), I felt completely lost. I started praying through Psalm 86 daily, and let me tell you – it changed everything about how I approached that tough season. I went from panicking to peaceful in just a few weeks!
Breaking Down Psalm 86 Verse by Verse
Let’s dig into this amazing prayer together! I’ll share my favorite verses and how I use them in my own prayers.
Verses 1-4: The Honest Cry for Help
“Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.”
David doesn’t pretend everything’s fine – he straight-up tells God, “I’m struggling here!” I love this honesty. Sometimes I think we try to sound all put-together when we pray, but God already knows our hearts.
When I pray this part, I simply tell God exactly what’s troubling me. No fancy words needed!
Verses 5-10: Remembering God’s Character
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you… Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.”
This is where the magic happens! David shifts from talking about his problems to focusing on God’s amazing character. He remembers that God is forgiving, good, and loving. No false god comes close to our true God!
I often pause here in my prayers and just list out God’s qualities that I’m thankful for. Like:
- “God, you are so patient with me.”
- “Jesus, you understand exactly what I’m going through.”
- “Holy Spirit, your faithfulness never fails.”
Verses 11-13: The Bold Request
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”
Now David gets specific about what he needs – teaching, guidance, and an undivided heart. I love that he doesn’t just ask for his problems to disappear; he asks for God to change him through the challenges!
When I reach this part in my prayer, I get super specific about what I need God to do in my life. Not just “help me,” but “help me to trust you when my bank account is low” or “give me courage to share my faith with my neighbor.”
Verses 14-17: Final Appeal and Praise
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness… Give your servant strength; save the son of your maidservant.”
David ends by returning to God’s character and asking for strength. Even when facing “arrogant foes,” he keeps his eyes on God’s goodness.
This reminds me to end my prayers with thanksgiving – even before I see the answer! That’s faith, folks!
What Makes Psalm 86 Different from Other Prayers in the Bible
The Bible is packed with amazing prayers, from Jesus’ prayer in John 17 to Paul’s prayers in his letters. But Psalm 86 stands out for a few reasons:
- It’s intensely personal – David uses “I,” “me,” and “my” throughout this prayer. It’s deeply individual.
- It balances vulnerability and confidence – David doesn’t hide his struggles, but he also boldly approaches God with faith.
- It emphasizes God’s unique character – “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord” (verse 8). David knew the true God stood apart from the false gods around him.
- It asks for inner transformation – David doesn’t just want circumstances to change; he wants his heart to change: “Give me an undivided heart” (verse 11).
A Table of God’s Attributes in Psalm 86
Here’s a helpful breakdown of God’s amazing character as described in this psalm:
| Verse | God’s Attribute | How It Comforts Us |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Forgiving | We don’t have to carry the weight of guilt |
| 5 | Good | God’s plans for us are ultimately good |
| 5 | Abundant in Love | God’s love never runs out, even on our worst days |
| 8 | Incomparable | No problem we face is bigger than our God |
| 10 | Doer of Wondrous Deeds | God can work miracles in our impossible situations |
| 15 | Compassionate | God understands our pain and cares deeply |
| 15 | Gracious | God gives us what we don’t deserve |
| 15 | Slow to Anger | God is patient with our mistakes and growth |
| 15 | Faithful | God keeps His promises every time |
How to Apply Psalm 86 to Different Life Situations
This prayer isn’t just for ancient times – it’s perfectly suited for our modern struggles too!
When Facing Financial Worries
“Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” (verse 1)
When those bills pile up or unexpected expenses hit, start by acknowledging your need to God. Then remember His faithfulness – the same God who provided manna in the wilderness can provide for your needs today!
During Health Challenges
“Guard my life…” (verse 2)
I remember praying this verse constantly when my mom was in the hospital last year. It brought so much comfort to remember that our lives are in God’s hands. No matter what the doctors said, I could trust that God was guarding her life according to His perfect plan.
When Making Big Decisions
“Teach me your way, LORD…” (verse 11)
Stuck between job offers? Unsure about a relationship? This verse is your prayer! Ask God to show you His way and give you an undivided heart that seeks to honor Him first.
When Dealing with Difficult People
“Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me…” (verse 14)
Okay, hopefully no one’s actually trying to kill you! But we all deal with difficult people. David reminds us to focus on God’s character rather than fixating on those who oppose us. When I’m dealing with a challenging coworker, I try to remember that God is “compassionate and gracious” (verse 15) – and then try to show those same qualities to others!
Finding Your Own Prayer Rhythm
The beautiful thing about using Psalm 86 as a prayer template is that you can make it your own. Maybe you’re a morning person who loves to pray at sunrise, or maybe you’re a night owl who connects with God best when the house is quiet.
There’s no “right time” to pray – it’s about finding the rhythm that works for you and helps you connect consistently with your heavenly Father.
I personally love to pray while walking. Something about moving my body helps clear my mind. I’ll often recite portions of Psalm 86 as I walk around my neighborhood, letting God’s Word become my prayer.
Next time you’re struggling to find words to pray, try opening your Bible to Psalm 86. Let David’s heartfelt words become your own, and watch how God uses this ancient prayer to bring fresh faith to your modern life.
What verse from Psalm 86 speaks to you most right now? I’d love to hear which part resonates with your current season of life!
“For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, abounding in loving kindness to all who call on you.” – Psalm 86:5