I Lay My Requests Before You

"....In the morning I lay my requests before you..." Psalm 5:3

The word translated "lay" here is translated "direct" in other translations. It can mean "ordered." Some translations say, "plead." I was glad I studied this, because at first, I was thinking this verse was talking about laying something down and leaving it there. But really, the intent here is to set things in order and plead your case. You are directing your request to the right place and pleading them before The One Who has the power to do something about it.

I love that God lets us present our case. He lets us put our thoughts in order and just let Him know how we think it is. What I love even more, is that we have Jesus to intercede for us...kind of like our lawyer. We know what we want or think we need. But Jesus, who really knows our heart, and knows the heart of God, mediates between us.

Read these beautiful verses:

 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27

With the Kids: Sometimes my kids need a little help getting their thoughts in order. When they feel they need something, often what I hear is "whine, whine, whine, blah, blah, I need, blah, blah, whine, whine." I'm glad Jesus intercedes for me, because I'm certain I often sound the same way. We have a whining policy at our house. I allow whining. I think that everyone should have the ability to get their feelings out. I just don't allow it in front of me. (Okay, on "good mommy, have it all together days" I don't allow it in front of me.) They can whine as much as they want in their room.

I often send my kids to their room to get their whining out and sort out what they really want to say. Then they can come back when they are ready to use real words, and I am happy to help them sort out the problem.

Whining is like emotional throw up. It contaminates everyone around, and is usually very irrational. However, whining shouldn't be mistaken for sorrow. Children need comforted when they are hurting (emotionally or physically), just as God comforts us.

Memorizing:

¹ Give ear to my words, O LORD,
       consider my sighing.

 ² Listen to my cry for help,
       my King and my God,
       for to you I pray.

 ³ In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
       in the morning I lay my requests before you