American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 113
ARC Prayer Meeting:
Last Sunday we expounded upon the book of Proverbs, vs. 2:8–9, “He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.”
As we consider this passage from the perspective of prayer, it’s important to realize that prayer is not simply asking God to bless the path we have already chosen. Prayer is an expression of our dependence upon God for His protection, wisdom, and direction as we seek His path.
The key thought here is when we seek God in prayer, we can trust Him to guard our way and give us the wisdom to recognize the path that we should take in life.
If you recall n The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian and Hopeful were traveling toward the Celestial City when they encounter the By-Path Meadow. They become tired from walking on the difficult King's Highway and saw what appeared to be an easier route. Christian suggested taking the by-path. They left the King's Highway and eventually encountered Giant Despair, who captured them and took them to Doubting Castle. Obviously this was not the just and wise path and the fruit of their actions became evident.
One of my practices that I try to do each day and would encourage you to adopt is to pray the Scriptures. “Lord, guard my path and preserve my way. Give me wisdom to understand what is righteous, justice to do what is right, and discernment to recognize the good path You have prepared for me. Help me trust Your direction rather than relying on my own understanding. Amen.”
The fact that God stands ready to guard the path of wisdom and justice and preserve the life of His saints should give us great confidence to pray. We can bring our concerns and circumstances before God, trusting that He is able to guard our steps and preserve our way.
Verse 9 says, “Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.” As we seek God, He gives us greater understanding of how we should live. Prayer helps us negotiate and wrestle with God like Jesus did in the Garden and come to the place where we can honestly say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Prayer is the surrender to our own desires so that we can recognize and follow God’s righteous path. This teaches us that prayer is not just about asking God to change our circumstances; it is also about seeking God to change our desires, transform our nature, shape our hearts and guide our steps.
In another Psalm, David once again provides the example. Psalm 139:23–24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
This is perhaps one of the clearest prayers related to Proverbs 2:8–9. David is asking God to examine him, expose anything wrong, and lead him in the right way. The connection is “Then you will understand righteousness… and every good path.”
In Psalm 25:4–5 David prays, “Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”
Notice the progression of David’s prayer. It is show me → teach me → lead me. That is very much the heart of Proverbs 2. Yes, we need God to tell us what is right; we also need Him to teach us how to recognize and walk in His paths of justice, wisdom, and His righteous ways. Amen.
