Tehillim Tools: Psalm 69:14: Rashbi: Certain Times

“May my prayer to You, God, be at a favorable time; Lord, in the abundance of Your kindness answer me with the truth of Your deliverance (Psalms 69:14).” There are times when God is propitious and ready to dispense blessing to those who pray to Him, and times when He is not propitious and judgment is let loose on the world, and times when judgment is held in suspense. There are seasons in the year when grace is in the ascendant, and seasons when judgment is in the ascendant, and seasons when judgment is in the ascendant but held in suspense. Similarly with the months and similarly with the days of the week, and even with the parts of each day and each hour. Therefore it is written, “There is a time for every purpose (Ecclesiastes 3:1),” and again, “May my prayer to You, God, be at a favorable time.” (Zohar III 58a-b)

I find it interesting that we pray that the time of our prayer be at a favorable time! It is as if any time we pray for a favorable time is a propitious time for such a prayer. There is a prayer that precedes and is more powerful than prayer: Prayer over our prayers; prayers that our prayers be effective, and that they be in the proper time. Prayer for our prayer creates the “favorable time!” The way in which we prepare for prayer determines the effectiveness of our prayers.