Psalm 5:1-3 (MSG) Every morning you'll hear me at it again

Psalm 5:1-3 (The Message)
A David Psalm

^1-3Listen, GOD! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
my groans and cries?
     King-God, I need your help.
Every Morning
     you'll hear me at it again.
Every Morning
     I lay out the pieces of my life
     on your altar
     and watch for fire to descend.

Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries?  Although I plan on these blog entries sometimes the words don't come initially.  Sometimes, after sitting and giving thoughts to the words of Psalms I start typing the first things that come to my mind.  I ramble.  Then when I look at the words I wonder, myself, what I meant.  Then I go back to the psalm and focus, focus on what I think God wants me to take from these prayers.  So, I wonder if the "Please, pay attention," of Psalm 5 is for God or for the person praying.

I realize from that process that praying requires a focus on God.  Somethings in life can become automatic.  You get into a habit it comes naturally, then you can do those things without thinking.  I don't believe that's true for prayer.  I believe prayer takes your focused energy and thought.  So, in times when I'm not sure that God is hearing my prayers, or can't make sense of my ramblings, I ask myself where are my thoughts?  Even though He'll hear me every morning, am I focused on this prayer?  If not then why not?  Have I drifted from God?  If I drifted then who moved?

Dear Lord, hear me, again, as you do every morning.  Be with me today, and help me to focus on your message.  Lay out your plans for me, as I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar.  Help me be attentive and let me not drift away from you so that I can make courageous choices.  Help me, especially during this time of Lent, to say no to worldliness.  Help me say no to idols, especially those idols that become the focus of addiction, like caffeine, alcohol, shopping, gambling, tobacco, and of course sex and pornography.  Help me instead to focus on you, your word, and the plan you have for me.  I pray this in the name of your son, Jesus - Amen.

Thanks for letting me share.