Look on my suffering and deliver me,
    for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
    preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
    preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
    but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
    for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

Here are two major keys for effective prayer:

  1. Pray according to God’s Word (His promises);
  2. Pray in accordance with God’s character.

God’s character, of course, is revealed in God’s Word. The more we get to know His Word, the more we will get to know Him, and be guided in what we can and should pray for.

‘Three reliable things. The reliable psalmist who does not forget the word (153), the reliable Lord (154, 156, 159) and the reliable word which never changes (160). But human reliability cannot be taken for granted…Life needs constant renewal which depends on the Lord’s love, promise and decision. This reiterated prayer for renewal constitutes the heart of the section.’ ( J.A. Motyer: ‘New Bible Commentary’, p.571).

‘God never made a promise that was too good to be true.’ D. L. Moody.