Pray to God for intervention.  Psalm 86:1-4

• Hear and answer me. (1)
  • For I am poor and needy.

• Spare my life. (2)
  • For I am a godly person who trusts in you.

• Have mercy on me. (3)
  • For I call on you all day. (Just like Jesus says we are to do.)

• Bring happiness to my day. (4)
  • For I trust in you.

You can be confident in God’s character that he will intervene.  Psalm 86:5-10

• God is forgiving, good, and loving to those who call on him. (5)
  • So, hear my cry for mercy. (6)
• You answer me when I call out to you. (7)
  
  
• You are the incomparable God. (8)
  • No other god has a record of deeds.
• All nations will end up giving glory to God. (9)
  
  
• There is only one God and his actions are great and marvelous. (10)

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11  

A teachable spirit in prayer will conform your character to God’s character. Psalm 86:11

• Teach me how you would go about this day.
  
  
• Help me to rely and trust upon your character not my own.
  
  
• Transform my heart to be solely committed to you and your purposes.
  
  
• Help me to fear you alone and not the limited power of those on earth.

Proclaiming God’s glory is the chief end of prayer.  Psalm 86:12-17

• I praise you and glorify your name! (12)
  
  
• His love is great and has delivered us. (13)
  
  
• You are a compassionate and gracious God. (15)
  
  
• Be merciful to me as one who serves to show off your strength. (16)
  
  
• Show your goodness in a manner that can be seen by others. (17)

Benediction:

“I never met anyone who spent time in daily prayer, and in the study of the Word of God, and was strong in faith, who was ever discouraged for very long.”  Billy Graham

Discussion Guide:

1. Memorize together Psalm 86:11.
2. Take some time to follow the pattern of this verse in answering these questions:
   1. What challenges do you have this week that you need to ask God to teach you his way of handling it?
   2. What about God’s character do you need to cling to this week?
   3. In the past few days, what has divided your heart from being fully devoted to Him?
   4. What are common fears that tempt you to walk differently from how God would lead you?
3. Take some time praying as group sharing these confessions, acknowledging God’s character, and asking for Him to be glorified through your life before others.