A Sacrifice to My God

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which he wrote completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalm 5:1–3, ESV)

Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

Heavenly Father, I’m tired and weak. I’m worn out. I don’t even know what to say to you as I pray. All I know is I’m groaning on the inside…and I need you. So please help me by your Spirit, who pleads for us with “groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26) and “according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27).  

Yet, as I sit here Father, words begin to come to me. I may only be able to let out a whisper. So, I ask you to lean down and hear what I’m saying to you. I also want you to consider what I’m saying, Father. I want you to  consider whether I’m praying rightly or not. If I’m asking for something that is not good for me, nor good for you glory, I don’t want it. I only want what is truly good for me and will further you kingdom and glory. So, consider what I have to say and answer accordingly. 

Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

Father, you are MY King and MY God. You’re not some distant diety off on the edges of the galaxy. You’re not unaware of who I am. You know my name. You formed me in my mother’s womb. You have written every one of my days in your book. You know the words that I will speak before they are even on my lips. You are MY God and MY King, and I am yours. 

Father, that’s why I continue to come to you with my prayers. It’s why I don’t go anywhere else. Why would I turn to someone else for help, someone who doesn’t know me and isn’t really able to help? Why would I turn to someone/something that has no real power to save me and doesn’t really know whats going on? Yet, you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are my Heavenly Father, powerful enough to do whatever you will. You are also all wise. You know the beginning from the end. So, I come to You alone with my prayers. You are the only one who can actually help me. So, I keep on coming to you. 

O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Father, I come to you right away in the morning because I know I need you in everything I do. I need you to be with me throughout the day. So, Father, guide me throughout the day. Keep watch over my steps and guide my lips. Help me to see things the way you see them and live the way you’ve called me to live. 

Father, I take my day—my life—an lay it as a sacrifice on your altar. I want me life to be “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to [You]” (Romans 12:1). I want me life to be worship. So, I lay it down on the altar, entrusting everything into your hands. Do with me as you will, Father. I trust you. 

Then, Father, as I lay my life on the altar, I watch. I look for ways you will use this sacrifice for you glory. I keep a lookout for Your work and the answer to my prayers. Like a watchman on a hill, I keep my eyes on the horizon for your rescue. I know you hear me, Father. I know you will use this sacrifice in some way. So, I lay my life down; I trust you; and I keep watching for You. Amen.