When You Need God to Hear You: A Cry from Psalm 86

By Torrie Slaughter

Have you ever had one of those days—or even seasons—where you just needed God to hear you? Not in a distant or delayed way, but immediately, intimately, with compassion and clarity? Psalm 86 is that kind of cry—raw, real, and refreshingly honest. It's a reminder that God leans in when His children call on Him.

David begins this prayer with vulnerability:

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” (Psalm 86:1, ESV)

This isn’t a poetic flourish—it’s a spiritual SOS. David is saying, “Lord, I’m out of strength. I have no pride left to stand on. I need You.” And haven’t we all been there? Life has a way of bringing us low so we can look up, and this psalm shows us what it means to reach for God in total surrender.

Even in distress, David declares the nature of God:

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” (Psalm 86:5, ESV)

That one verse is enough to hold onto when everything else feels like it’s slipping. Our God is good, forgiving, and overflowing in love. He doesn’t run from brokenness—He runs toward it. When we don’t know what to pray, Psalm 86 becomes our script.

But David doesn’t just want relief—he wants alignment:

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11, ESV)

That line feels like a deep breath in a frantic world. Unite my heart, he says—not scattered, not double-minded, but focused, whole, surrendered. It's a cry we can echo in our own spiritual journey: “Lord, I don’t just want rescue—I want to follow You well.”

💡 Reflection:

• Where do you need God to meet you today?

• Are you calling out in desperation—or have you grown silent?

• What might God be teaching you through this season of surrender?

🙏 Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
We come before You like David—needy, humble, and aware of our limits. Hear our cries, O Lord, and meet us in Your mercy. Unite our hearts to fear Your name. Teach us to walk in Your truth, even when the path is unfamiliar or painful. Thank You for being close, compassionate, and always faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.