How can understanding God's attributes in Psalm 89:14 influence our prayer life? Setting the Verse in View “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.” (Psalm 89:14) Four Attributes, Four Prayer Pathways • Righteousness – God always does what is morally perfect. • Justice – He rules with perfect equity. • Loving devotion – His covenant love is steadfast. • Faithfulness – He is utterly reliable. Righteousness: Praying With Cleansed Hearts • Approach God conscious that He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13). • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9); lingering guilt keeps us from bold petition. • Ask Him to align desires with His right standards (Psalm 19:14). • Expect Him to answer prayers that seek first His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Justice: Praying for His Right Judgments • Intercede for wrongs to be set right—personal, societal, global—because “He loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33:5). • Trust that vengeance belongs to Him, not us (Romans 12:19), freeing us from bitterness. • Plead for the oppressed, confident He hears their cry (Psalm 9:9–10). • Submit personal outcomes to His just decisions, even when timing puzzles us (Luke 18:7–8). Loving Devotion: Praying in the Warmth of Covenant Love • Remember that God’s steadfast love, not our merit, secures access (Ephesians 2:4–5). • Pour out joys and sorrows openly—His hesed invites transparency (Psalm 62:8). • Give thanks often; gratitude flourishes where love is recognized (Psalm 136). • Imitate His love in requests for others, asking that they know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:17–19). Faithfulness: Praying With Assurance of God’s Reliability • Base petitions on promises He has already spoken (Numbers 23:19; 2 Corinthians 1:20). • Keep praying when answers delay, certain He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). • Rehearse past deliverances to fuel present confidence (Lamentations 3:22–23). • Rest at night, trusting the God who never fails to watch (Psalm 121:3–4). Putting It All Together 1. Begin prayer with praise for these four attributes, letting worship set the tone. 2. Move into confession, aligning with His righteousness. 3. Intercede for justice in the world and in personal situations. 4. Thank Him for His loving devotion, naming specific evidences. 5. Present requests anchored in His faithfulness, quoting relevant promises. 6. Close with renewed trust, aware that the Holy One ruling on a throne of righteousness and justice goes before you in loyal love and sure faithfulness (Hebrews 4:16). |
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