How often do our prayers degenerate into a list of requests, either for ourselves or for our loved ones? But aren’t such prayers really focused more on ourselves than on God? So, how can we begin to pray in a truly God-centered, God-focused way?

This psalm is a good model, for, while it mentions some of the more important ways in which God blesses us, its primary focus is on Who God is. Yes, verse 5 reminds us of how God provides our material needs, but does so in order to magnify God’s grace and compassion (verse 4). In the same way, verse 9 mentions the way that God redeems His people, but makes this an illustration of the faithful way that God keeps His covenant promises (see also verse 5).

No, instead of just asking God for more and more blessings, the psalmist is satisfied to praise God for the splendor and majesty of the great works He has already accomplished (verses 2 and 3). Instead of pleading for God to render justice to his enemies, the Psalmist is content to praise God for the truth and justice and righteousness that are inherent in His creation and clearly expressed in His Law (verses 7-8).

And so we can see that it is not the magnitude of our blessings or the earnestness of our petitions that lead to true knowledge of God. Instead, it is the fear of the Lord that is “the beginning of wisdom” (verse 10): it is awe and wonder in the presence of the Lord that leads us to a true understanding not only of Him, but of His creation and our place in it.

So today, let’s spend more of our prayer time meditating on Who God is and what God has done. For such a shift in focus can only serve to increase our faith in Him, even as it makes our problems seem much less threatening. For can anyone or anything possibly be a match for God?

Psalm 111 (NASB)

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work; And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.
6 He has made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.