— Devotional —
What does a king pray about?
That’s the question Psalm 144 invites us to consider. It’s a psalm “of David,” Israel’s most famous king. In it, David prays for strength (v1–2), a posture of humility (v3–4), divine intervention (v5–8), and personal rescue (v9–11). As we read, it becomes clear why David is remembered as Israel’s archetypal “Anointed One”—his heart was wholly dependent on God.
But then the prayer shifts. In verses 12–15, David begins to pray not for himself, but for his people. For their children to grow strong. For barns and granaries to overflow. For safety, prosperity, and peace.
This is the heart of a good king: not self-serving, but interceding for others.
A king who prays for the people he leads.
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Romans 8v33-34
In the New Testament, Jesus is called the “Son of David.” That’s because he fulfilled Israel’s ancient hope for a true King—an “Anointed One,” or in Greek, Christ. But Jesus is more than David ever was. David prayed for his people; Jesus, risen and reigning, prays for the world.
And he prays for you.
This might be one of the most beautiful, but least talked about, parts of the gospel: Jesus intercedes for us. The word means “to stand in the gap”—to represent us, carry us, connect us to God. Scripture calls him our advocate, our mediator, our great high priest.
In a world where we often feel unseen or on our own, this is deeply personal: the King of all creation knows our name… and intercedes for us.
“The Psalter is the prayer book of Jesus Christ in the truest sense of the word. He prayed the Psalter and now it has become his prayer for all time… those who pray the psalms are joining in with the prayer of Jesus Christ, their prayer reaches the ears of God. Christ has become their intercessor.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms
What does the King of kings pray about?
Jesus prays that our faith won’t fail (Luke 22v32), that we would be united in love (John 17v21), protected from evil (John 17v15), and made holy in the truth (John 17v17). He prays for our forgiveness (Luke 23v34), our endurance (Hebrews 7v25), and that our joy would be full (John 17v13). Even now, he prays for us to be with him, to see his glory, and to know the Father’s love (John 17v24). His prayers surround our weakness (Romans 8v26) and meet us in our temptations (Hebrews 4v16).
He even prays Psalm 144.
This isn’t a distant theological idea—it’s a present and personal reality. The King stands in the gap for you. He prays for your faith, your joy, your family, your wholeness.
So let us boldly draw near to his throne.
