January 6, 2011

Read a psalm as your prayer.*

Paraphrase the psalm in your own words to lament your particular situation and needs.

Read and pray the psalm, pausing periodically to insert your own specific feelings and questions, as in the following example based on Psalm 13:1-2,5-6:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my hear all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Lord, our God,we feel forgotten. This abuse rips apart our faith. The victim, our sister or brother or friend _____ is alone in despair. How long must this persist?

But I trusted in your steadfast love; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me.

We long to sing praise,
To have our sister or brother or friend______ begin to sense your goodness again. For deep down, we trust in your goodness. Amen.

Other examples of Psalms of Lament:

Psalm 3: A crisis of betrayal
Psalm 10: When God is silent
Psalm 38, 41: A crisis of sickness
Psalm 142: A crisis of loneliness

* Resource: The Praying Church Idea Book written by Douglas Kamstra with foreword by Alvin J. Vandergriend/ A Time to Weep, Reformed Worship 44,p.24. by John Witvliet