For thou, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. II Samuel 7:27.

How often God does for his servants what they desire to do for him! David desired to build the Lord a house, and the Lord built him a house. When God's servants are not accepted one way, they are another. Neither do they take it ill that the Lord puts them off from the work upon which they had set their desires; but they learn his will, bow before it, and praise him for it. David went in and sat before the Lord, and offered prayer, for he felt moved in heart, so that he could not do otherwise. When the Lord promises, we should supplicate: his giving times should create for us special asking times.

I. HOW DID HE COME BY HIS PRAYER? He "found in his heart to pray this prayer."

· He found it, which is a sign he looked for it. Those who pray at random will never be accepted: we must carefully seek out our prayers (Job 13:4).

· In his heart-not in a book, nor in his memory, nor in his head, nor in his imagination, nor only on his tongue (Ps. 84:2).

· It is proof that he had a heart, knew where it was, could look into it, and did often search it (Ps. 77:6).

· It must have been a living heart, or a living prayer would not have been within it.

· It must have been a believing heart, or he would not have found "this prayer" in it.

· It must have been a serious heart, not flippant, forgetful, cold, indifferent, or he would have found a thousand vanities in it, but no prayer. Question: Would prayer be found in your heart at this time (Hosea 7:11)?

· It must have been a humble heart, for such was the prayer.

· Is this the way you pray? Do you answer, "I never pray"? God grant you may yet find it in your heart to do so.

· Is this the way you pray? Do you answer, "I say my prayers"? How can prayers which do not come fromyour heart ever reach God's heart?

II. HOW DID HIS PRAYER COME TO BE IN HIS HEART?

Through the Lord's being there, and putting it there.

1. The Lord's own Spirit instructed him how to pray.

· By giving him a sense of need. Great blessings teach us our necessity, as in David's case.

· By giving him faith in God. When sure that God will keep his promise we are moved to plead it.

· By bringing before his mind the appropriate promise. "Thou hast revealed; therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee."

2. The Lord inclined him to pray.

· It has been said that an absolute promise would render prayer needless; whereas the first influence of such a promise is to suggest prayer. The Lord inclined David's heart:

· By warming his heart. Prayer does not grow in an ice-well.

· By gladdening him with bright prospects. Prayer comes flying in by the open window of hope.

· By communing with him. When God speaks to us we are moved to speak to him.

3. The Lord encouraged him to pray, by means of:

· A promise spoken."I will build thee an house."

· A promise sealed home to the heart."Thou hast revealed to thy servant."

· His covenant is ordained on purpose to excite prayer. "I will yet for this be enquired of" (Ezek. 36:37).

· His former great mercy, his previous answers to our petitions, his immutable goodness, his undiminished power, and his unquestioned faithfulness, all lead us to pray.

· His Son Jesus is an Intercessor who is always pleading with success, and this puts it into our heart to pray.

· His Holy Spirit has undertaken to help our infirmity in prayer, and this again suggests prayer.

III. HOW MAY YOU FIND PRAYER IN YOUR HEARTS?

· Look into your heart, and make diligent search.

· Think of your own need, and this will suggest petitions.

· Think of your ill-desert, and you will humbly cry to the Lord.

· Think of the promises, the precepts, and the doctrines of truth, and each one of these will summon you to your knees.

· Have Christ in your heart, and prayer will follow (Acts 9:11).

· Live near to God, and then you will often speak to him.

· Do you find prayers and other holy things in your heart? Or is it full of vanity, worldliness, ambition, and ungodliness?

· Remember that you are what your heart is (Prov. 23:7).