Scripture Focus: Psalm 90:17 (NLT)
“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”
Building on the Foundation
Last week, we began laying the foundation of what Scripture calls Kingdom Prayers. We examined the Lord’s Prayer and discovered it was never meant to be something merely memorized or repeated, but rather a model that shapes how we approach God.
Before moving forward, it’s important to remember that Jesus introduced the prayer by saying, “After this manner therefore pray…”. Pointing us to a pattern, not a script.
The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13
Jesus teaches us to pray by first aligning our hearts with heaven:
- Honoring God’s name
- Submitting to His will
- Trusting Him for daily provision
- Walking in forgiveness
- Depending on Him for deliverance
Scripture is full of prayers like this. Prayers that prioritize God’s purposes over personal preference. These are Kingdom Prayers. Selfish prayers focus on the temporary; Kingdom Prayers focus on the eternal.
A Prayer from the Wilderness
Psalm 90 is a prayer written by Moses during one of the most challenging seasons of his life, leading the children of Israel through the wilderness.
This was not an easy assignment:
- The people constantly complained
- They were ungrateful for daily provision
- They desired more instead of trusting God’s “just enough”
- They focused on hardship while forgetting God’s promises
Despite witnessing ten plagues and miraculous deliverance, the people often longed to return to bondage when things became difficult. Moses carried the weight of leading a frustrated, fearful, and faithless people.
Yet in Psalm 90, we see something powerful: Moses does not pray from frustration—he prays from faith.
Where Kingdom Prayers Begin
Moses opens his prayer with this declaration:
Psalm 90:1-2 (NLT)
“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!
Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.”
The first thing Moses acknowledges is that God is their refuge, their home, their dwelling place. Even in the wilderness, God was their shelter.
He also recognizes that God’s faithfulness did not begin with them; it spans all generations. Finally, Moses proclaims God’s eternal authority: “From beginning to end, You are God.”
This is a powerful model for our own Kingdom Prayers:
- Acknowledge God as your refuge
- Recognize His eternal authority
- Submit your situation to His sovereignty
Scripture repeatedly affirms this truth:
- “God is our refuge and strength…” (Psalm 62)
- “He who dwells in the secret place…” (Psalm 91)
Wisdom in the Brevity of Life
Later in the prayer, Moses reflects on the shortness of life:
Psalm 90:10 (NLT)
“Seventy years are given to us… even the best years are filled with pain and trouble.”
Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
This is a true Kingdom Prayer. Moses is not asking for an easier life, he is asking for wisdom to navigate life’s challenges. He understands that suffering is inevitable, but wisdom gives purpose to the pain.
God’s Power to Restore
Moses continues with a bold request:
Psalm 90:15 (NLT)
“Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.”
This is a reminder that while seasons of sorrow are real, God is able to restore joy. He does not waste pain… He redeems it.
The Prayer That Establishes Our Work
The final verse of Psalm 90 brings everything together:
Psalm 90:17 (NLT)
“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”
Moses understands something crucial: without God’s blessing, even our hardest work has little lasting impact.
Commentators echo this truth:
- David Guzik notes that without God establishing our work, its effectiveness quickly fades.
- Alexander Maclaren reminds us that although life is fleeting, it gains meaning when God allows us to be His tools.
- Charles Spurgeon emphasizes that faithful people pray not to labor in vain, but to see God establish their efforts.
A Kingdom Prayer for Every Day
This prayer reshapes how we approach life, work, and ministry:
“God, in all my efforts, show Your approval and make them successful.”
We see this same heart in Abraham’s servant:
Genesis 24:12 (NLT)
“Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master.”
This is not a selfish prayer, it is a Kingdom Prayer. It invites God into every effort, every assignment, and every decision.
Final Reflection
We can pray this prayer over every area of our lives:
- Our work
- Our families
- Our ministries
- Our decisions
When our success aligns with God’s Kingdom, it carries eternal impact.
Kingdom Prayer:
“God, give me success today, success that honors You and advances Your Kingdom.”
