Ancient Greek philosopher Plato famously wrote in his work, Republic, that “our need will be the real creator.” This is the earliest iteration of the modern proverb, “necessity is the mother of invention.” We are familiar with this phrase, either because we’ve heard it before or simply because we have lived its reality. We get really creative when we have to. We get super productive when a deadline is looming. Too many of us — the procrastinators — would have to acknowledge that we get ten times more accomplished in the last minute than we do in the first “ten minutes.”
Prayer is like this. And I’d even go so far as to say, “desperation is the mother of prayerfulness.” When we are up against the clock on a deadline, we work because we must. When we realize that our circumstances are beyond our control, we pray because we have no other option.
In 1 Samuel 23, we encounter the anointed, but not yet crowned, David. He is on the run for his life from King Saul, who resorted to violence as he lost his grip on the kingdom.
As David runs and hides, in his desperation, he prays…a lot. As he runs for his life, he inquires of the Lord, does what He says, and saves a town from the Philistines. But then finds himself in need of saving and figures this town of Keilah will hide him and return the favor. So, he inquires of the Lord and is told by the Lord that Keilah will give him up to save themselves. Left with no choice, David moves on and saves himself and once again the town of Keilah, whom King Saul would have ransacked to find David.
It’s quite likely that Psalm 31, a prayer of David, was born out of the desperation of this very situation. David, without refuge and without a stronghold in which to hide, finds his safety in the Lord.
“Desperation is the mother of prayerfulness.” We know this is true because we see David live in desperation, and as a result, pray as a man after God’s own heart. We know this to be true in our own lives because when we find ourselves hurting, or experiencing loss, helpless and afraid, or at the end of all we can do on our own, we pray — we pray longer and more desperately, we pray persistently and with tears.
In Psalm 31, David says, “into Your hands I commit my spirit” (31:5). That might sound familiar because as Jesus hung on the cross, He cried out, “into Your hands I commit my Spirit” (Luke 23:46). This is how to pray.
Whether in life or death, we live submitted to the Lord. Prayer will be the air we breathe when we live in desperation — we live surrendered, and we die surrendered. As we live these days of Passion week, may we approach each one with the heart of Christ, committing our spirit into His hands.
Written by: Dave Nicodemus, Grace Students Pastor
Based on: 1 Samuel 23
Passion Week Devotional 2025: Day Seven