Habakkuk 3:1a– A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet (AMP).
We’ve worked our way through boring, impersonal, trivial, accepting prayers and wonder how much worse our prayer life could get. Our prayer life slackens. Where are we going wrong?
Habakkuk’s prayer may revitalize ours. He demands God make himself known (2). He reminds himself about God’s greatness (3-7). He questions God’s actions (8), and even praises chastisements, and calamities (9-11)! He recalls answered prayers (12-15). He makes no requests, but states his reaction to all that God is. “I heard and my [whole inner self] trembled; my lips quivered at the sound. Rotten-ness enters my bones [down to my feet]; I tremble (16a). Whew!
Do we trust God when things look hopeless? Habakkuk says, “I will wait quietly for the day of trouble and distress when there shall come up against [my] people him who is about to invade and oppress them” (16b). Imagine that!
He closes with the possible outcome, but nary a hint of whining or complaining. He states facts, declares where he stands in the midst of them (17-19) and then sets the entire prayer to wild, enthusiastic and triumphal music (1b).
What if we prayed this way and then made both list and declaration? Lists will differ but the standing and the music should be exactly the same. See Habakkuk 3:16-17.
Prayer: Lord, we rejoice in You. You are our strength, personal bravery, and invincible army. You help us make spiritual progress in trouble, suffering and responsibility. We will not stand still in terror. Amen!
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