How can we pray for God's hand to be upon us like Psalm 80:17? Inviting Psalm 80:17 into Our Personal Cry “May Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.” (Psalm 80:17) The psalmist pleads for the same powerful, protective, guiding hand that once rested on Israel’s king—the “son of man” God had “raised up.” Because the risen Christ now sits at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3), this cry naturally becomes ours in Him. What “God’s Hand” Means in Scripture • Power that delivers (Exodus 13:3) • Favor that blesses (Ezra 7:9) • Guidance that directs (Psalm 139:10) • Protection that shields (Isaiah 41:10) • Discipline that corrects for good (Psalm 32:4) Praying for His hand is not vague spirituality; it is asking for these very concrete actions of the living God in daily life. Grounding Our Confidence in Christ at God’s Right Hand • Jesus fulfills the “man at Your right hand” (Acts 2:33). • Because we are united to Christ by faith, we are “raised up with Him” (Ephesians 2:6). • Therefore, asking the Father to place His hand on us is simply asking Him to honor the union He Himself established. Preparing the Heart Before We Ask • Humble acknowledgment of need (1 Peter 5:6). • Confession and turning from sin so nothing hinders fellowship (1 John 1:9). • Renewed trust in God’s covenant faithfulness (Psalm 80:18). Practical Ways to Pray Psalm 80:17 Today 1. Begin with worship—declare who God is and what His hand has done in history. 2. Claim your position in Christ—thank the Father that you are seated with the Son at His right hand. 3. Ask specifically: – Power to obey in a hard situation. – Favor on a decision or relationship. – Guidance for upcoming choices. – Protection from visible and unseen dangers. – Loving discipline wherever needed. 4. Intercede for others, moving from personal requests to family, church, and nation, just as the psalmist prayed for Israel. 5. Close with confident praise, trusting that the same hand that raised Jesus will uphold you (Jude 24). Living Under His Hand • Watch for providences—doors opening, temptations removed, wisdom given. • Respond with obedience whenever His guidance is clear (Psalm 119:173). • Keep a record of answered cries; it fuels future faith (Psalm 77:11-12). Encouragement for the Ongoing Journey The prayer of Psalm 80:17 is not a one-time request but a way of life. Each morning, each challenge, each victory can echo, “Father, let Your hand be upon me through Your Son.” His Word assures that He delights to answer (Isaiah 64:4; John 16:24). |
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