Praying . . .

Like a man after Yah's own heart.  Not that I am implying gender role issues in this very serious matter, but rather as people of the most High Elohim [EL ElYon] we do have an amazing collection of prayers written by the man who was called a man after Yah's own heart.  The Psalms, most of them, were written by King David.  Many, I'm sure, have written articles and books on praying the Psalms, as it is powerful!  There's no vain repetition here, unless we choose to just give lip service, as these prayers are deep.  Some of the Psalms are jubilant praise, while others come from the depth of despair.  The Psalms literally contains a prayer for nearly every issue any of might face.  Let's consider David's experiences and what probably brought joy as well as grief to his heart.

The first we know of young David was the fact he was a shepherd boy that had killed a lion and a bear.  That was his proposed qualification for facing Goliath.  
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living Elohim.  I Samuel 17:36  Most of us learned how that turned out, at a very young age.  It really didn't take much church or synagogue attendance to learn about the little shepherd boy with a sling shot; that slew the giant!  We also soon learn that he became the son-in-law of King Saul, but that marriage wasn't his memorable one.

King David was a mighty warrior, and even when Saul had turned on him, he still showed respect for the King.  Once the kingdom passed from Saul to David, David committed a couple of very grievous sins.  He lusted after another man's wife and acted upon that lust.  Bathsheba is often blamed by the religious folk, but considering she was on the roof bathing, she may not have known anyone was watching.  Torah commanded that Israel build a parapet around the roof for safety, and she may have never considered herself to be within anyone's view.  Obviously when David sent for her, she realized she'd been seen, but there were pretty serious consequences for refusing a King's order, so I'm just not sure how that scenario actually unfolded, but we do know there was adultery, and . . . ultimately murder.  The child that was conceived that night, died at a week old.  I'm sure David had some moments of heaviness and regret throughout his life over that fateful rendezvous, yet it was the second son with Bathsheba who would rule Israel in great wisdom, through years of peace and build the Temple.

David also experienced dysfunction in his family with a son trying to kill him, and a son raping a daughter, not to mention more than one wife to deal with and a son who planned to usurp the throne from the one to whom it was promised.   David ruled over Israel for 40 years.

He had times of great blessing and closeness with YHWH, but he also sinned.  King David knew how to pray . . . We are blessed to be able to read his prayers and undoubtedly all can relate to at least one of his circumstances. The Psalms are the spiritual solution the many emotional issues that plague humanity.
I will declare the decree: YHWH hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  Psalm 2:7