Faithful on Fridays Blog

Psalm 20

I encourage you to open your Bible and follow along as we walk through this prayer declared by God’s people for their king. David was many things, good and bad, with strengths and weaknesses, but God’s people believed in prayer and didn’t hesitate to come alongside him when needed. You’ll notice in verse 1 they used the phrase ‘may He’ indicating they knew God was the answer to each and every petition and they’re focused on the future. 

We don’t know what particular trouble David was experiencing, but he was undoubtedly praying about it himself. The people were crying out for God to respond to his prayers because he’s in trouble. There’s no better way to show love and support to your pastor or church leader than to pray. What kind of trouble was he experiencing? The Hebrew word indicates physical or emotional affliction, distress or pressure, or being in a ‘tight spot’ and anguishing over it. 

Why call it a ‘warfare Psalm’? Simply because our only weapon against any enemy is the Word of God (Eph. 6), and, as intercessors, we go to war on behalf of someone else. We’re the middleman between the devil, his opposing forces, and our leader in their time of intense pressures. David must’ve felt such relief knowing people were praying for him. May your leaders experience that same relief.

Using the name God of Jacob when they cried out for protection for their leader has great meaning. This patriarch began life (Gen. 27) as a selfish, impatient, scheming brother who was sovereignly chosen by God to continue His covenant promises (Rom. 9:6-14), but he had troubles of his own. Jacob became a Nike man when God allowed him to prevail in their wrestling match (Gen. 32:22-31), he was transformed into an overcomer, a victorious man of God, and if God will do that for Jacob, then He’ll do it for David! I contend if He’ll give victory to Jacob, David, and Jesus Himself, then He’ll do it for our leaders. They were asking Yahweh to set David in an invisible, high place of protection where he’s inaccessible to the enemy. Does your pastor or ministry leader need that kind of safe place right now?

Finally, we read the intercessors asking for help and support from God’s throne room for David. What could that look like? Well, God sent Adam a helper to stand beside him (Eve), help comes in the form of angels, armies, and individuals, however, the best help anyone can receive is the Holy Spirit: our Helper (John 14:16-17). These prayer warriors are requesting support or strength for David to maintain his authoritative position, additionally the word includes refreshment and comfort during his time of trouble.

Let’s make our own requests to God on behalf of our church leaders by acting like these people of God who cared enough to answer the call of warfare prayer and giving us insight into how we can pray as well.