I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me;
    he freed me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4 GNT

David had a real sense of self sufficiency when it came to praying. His sometimes limping prayers were accepted by God and moved Him to help in whatever he asked. Does this not give me reason to celebrate the abundant mercy of God? I can seek Him when I have sinned. What would I be or do if there was no mercy? But there is, and mercy’s gift to me is my release from all my fears. It is the work of the hand of God and it is perfect. He frees my fears and I believe He frees me from what caused me to fear. He wipes out my enemies and even buries them.

“All prayer is somewhat impure. It is never done with fully proper motives of heart or with language worthy of its object. It is received and answered by God, therefore, only by grace.” – Keller