How often have we prayed a pray pleading with God but not presuming on God? Shared the desires of our heart but know that we cannot make demands of our God? Or, how many times have we sought direction when we don’t really know which path to take? Asked for a door to be open because we’re not sure which way to go?

A lot of our prayers we pray not knowing how God will answer either because we don’t know what we want or what He wants. We pray holding loosely any particular desired outcome because we don’t want to usurp our determination above His. Thus, we pray as Jesus did to the Father, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Lu. 22:42).

Bottom line? There’s a lot of stuff we pray about and we don’t really know what the Father’s will is.

But what if we prayed for something that we know to be the Father’s will? What if asked for an outcome we’ve been told the Father has promised to provide? With the crazy way I think, wouldn’t that be a “gimme prayer.”

Gimme, not as in, “Give me!” because I’m demanding something. But gimme, as in a gimme shot in golf. A short putt that no one requires you to actually take because it’s a sure thing. Gimme as in “it’s a done deal.” And so, a gimme prayer is a pray that we know the outcome before we pray it. We’re certain as to God’s will before we ask it.

And as I hover over a couple of verses this morning in Psalm 61 this morning, I’m thinking the songwriter might be praying a gimme prayer and I’m moved to pray it too.

Prolong the life of the King; may His years endure to all generations! May He be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over Him!

(Psalm 61:6-7 ESV)

Strictly speaking, Psalm 61 is song by David about David. A cry to God in a time of trouble. A call for help when his heart is faint and he has reached the end of his rope. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,” sings the royal songwriter, knowing that God is that rock, a well tested refuge in the past and a sure hope against the enemy for the future (vv. 2-3). The ask is for a safe place to dwell. For shelter under the wings of the place where God’s glory dwells (v. 4).

But in verse six, David switches from first person to third person. From praying about “me” to petitioning on behalf of “the king.” And I can’t help, as David makes the switch, to think that it might not also have reference to “the King.” The promised King through the line of David. The eternal King who will reign forever and ever. The glorious King who sits enthroned in the heavens and will one day return to earth. The King spoken of by Jesus in my reading this morning in Matthew 25.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. . . . Then the King will say . . . ”

(Matthew 25:31, 34a ESV)

And so if David’s prayer, directed by the Spirit of God, is for King Jesus, God’s Anointed, isn’t it a gimme prayer?

The King’s life will be a prolonged life, for He is the Author of life (Acts 3:15)–resurrected life that endures to all generations, generations past and generations to come.

What’s more, He will be enthroned forever for He is the King of kings (Rev. 17:14). And His throne will be a throne before God. The Lamb in the midst (Rev. 5:6). The Son at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 12:2). Father and Son, along with the Spirit, of one being, bearing the same glory.

And His reign has been and will always be marked by steadfast love and faithfulness. The love with which the Father has loved Him since eternity past having been infused in those of His kingdom as He reigns over them and in them (Jn. 17:26).

No need for “nevertheless not my will but Yours be done” when praying this prayer of David. For we know it is God’s will and His will WILL BE done. It’s a gimme prayer.

Even so, Lord Jesus, reign.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

In Your grace. For Your glory.