Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways. (Psalm 119: 33-37)

Can I honestly ask for what the psalmist asks?

Teach me your statutes. I am open to teaching. Give me understanding. Yes, that would be good.

So that I may keep the law of God with my whole heart. Give myself wholly to the law of God? What does that mean?

Lead me on your path. Well... where will your path lead me? Turn my heart from selfish gain. I don't want to be selfish, but toward what purpose will I turn?

Turn my eyes from vanities. The Hebrew is shav' meaning emptiness, nothingness, illusion, ephemera. Well, if you put it that way, of course. But I have a foreboding that when specific vanities are on the table I might not be so agreeable.

Be careful, we are told, for what we pray. When I often pray, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done." Do I really mean it? What if I prayed for this with full intention, purpose, and will?