‘Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.’
Psalm 44:26

Praying in public, and praying while alone, have their differences as we all as their challenges. In private communion with God no one else sees us, and so no one knows how long we spend before God’s throne. In the public prayer meeting one of the hindrances we face is the fear of others hearing us. This can keep many Christians back from praying out loud. I want to encourage all to take part in corporal prayer by reminding us that such prayers need not be long and drawn out – in fact many a prayer meeting has been hindered by the protracted prayer of one individual.

Here in Psalm 44:26 I draw your attention to the word ‘arise’ which is found at the very end of the Psalm in verse 26.

The setting which created this cry

At the very beginning of the Psalm we discover that the Psalmist was recalling past blessings which God’s people had known. The mighty works of God had been heard and were now longed for once more. As he cries ‘arise’ – he is expressing this yearning for God to do what He had done before. Furthermore, this one word cry also revealed the present need of the church. It was birthed by the realisation that things were so different compared to former times when the Lord draw near to His people.

Today our need is very great. This needs spans across our own lives, families, countries and this world. While many scurry around trying to find man-centred solutions to man-created problems, the Church of Christ know that only the Gospel is the answer, and must encourage herself in seeking God once again. Let us cry ‘arise’.

The stirring which characterised this cry

We must not think of this prayer in the same way which ‘arise’ applies to us. Look back to verse twenty-three and you will read the words, ‘…awake, why steepest thou, O LORD? Arise, cast us not off for ever’. Should we think that God actually sleeps? Of course not. No, the word used is part of God’s design for us. God in His own wisdom may withdraw His favour and so gives the appearance that He is ‘asleep’ or ‘far off’. Consequently, it stimulates a longing in our hearts for His near presence and so we cry ‘arise’.

Such stirring will manifest itself in prayer. When God is pleased to move, He will move His people to believing prayer. The question we must ask, is whether or not such a genuine longing for God to ‘arise’ exists in our own lives. Do we identify with the words of verse twenty-five, ‘our soul is bowed down to the dust’? If so, then let us cry, ‘arise’.