How to Pray When You Are in an Agony of Soul
How to Pray When You Are in an Agony of Soul - The Orchard
How to Pray When You Are in an Agony of Soul - The Orchard
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5<br />
There are m<strong>an</strong>y psalms that ask the question, “Why?” For example, “My<br />
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). But the<br />
question here is not “Why?” It is “<strong>How</strong> long?”<br />
The question David is ask<strong>in</strong>g is not, “<strong>How</strong> do I make sense <strong>of</strong> my<br />
suffer<strong>in</strong>g?” but “<strong>How</strong> much longer c<strong>an</strong> I endure it?” It’s not a cry for<br />
wisdom, it’s a cry for strength.<br />
It wouldn’t have helped David for us <strong>to</strong> quote Rom<strong>an</strong>s 8:28 <strong>to</strong> him: “God<br />
works <strong>in</strong> all th<strong>in</strong>gs for the good <strong>of</strong> those who love him.” David would say,<br />
“That’s good, but how am I go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> get through the rest <strong>of</strong> the week?”<br />
HOW TO HELP A PERSON WHO FEELS ABANDONED BY GOD<br />
iii. Ask for help<br />
The best th<strong>in</strong>g that you c<strong>an</strong> do <strong>to</strong> help a believer who feels overwhelmed<br />
by their sorrow, <strong>an</strong>d ab<strong>an</strong>doned by God is <strong>to</strong> come alongside them; <strong>to</strong> pray<br />
for them <strong>an</strong>d <strong>to</strong> pray with them, especially if they do not feel able <strong>to</strong> pray<br />
for themselves.<br />
Notice how <strong>an</strong>d what David prays here: “Consider <strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>swer me, O<br />
LORD my God; light up my eyes…” (Psalm 13:3). “Light up my eyes…”<br />
That’s a prayer for strength.<br />
<strong>When</strong> a person is <strong>in</strong> <strong>an</strong> agony <strong>of</strong> soul, as David was, they’re not look<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for <strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>swer, <strong>an</strong>d it won’t help much if you try <strong>to</strong> give one. What they’re<br />
look<strong>in</strong>g for is strength—a sense <strong>of</strong> the help <strong>an</strong>d the presence <strong>of</strong> God—<br />
that’s why the best way you c<strong>an</strong> help is <strong>to</strong> come alongside <strong>in</strong> genu<strong>in</strong>e<br />
sympathy <strong>an</strong>d help them draw near <strong>to</strong> the everlast<strong>in</strong>g God <strong>in</strong> prayer.<br />
Follow David’s example. He asks God <strong>to</strong> “light up his eyes.” Lord, help<br />
me <strong>to</strong> see you. Help me <strong>to</strong> f<strong>in</strong>d strength. Help me <strong>to</strong> press on.<br />
3. Le<strong>an</strong> In<strong>to</strong> What <strong>You</strong> Know<br />
But I have trusted <strong>in</strong> your steadfast love; Psalm 13:5<br />
This is the great Bible word hesed, beautifully tr<strong>an</strong>slated “steadfast love.”<br />
This is love that lasts, love that you c<strong>an</strong> count on. God’s love for you had<br />
no beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>an</strong>d it will have no end. In the eternity <strong>of</strong> the nature <strong>of</strong> the<br />
triune God, he has loved you with <strong>an</strong> everlast<strong>in</strong>g love.<br />
The issue that David is fac<strong>in</strong>g shows no sign <strong>of</strong> go<strong>in</strong>g away. It has been<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g on for a long time, <strong>an</strong>d the question is “<strong>How</strong> long?” David dares <strong>to</strong><br />
believe that God’s love for him will go longer th<strong>an</strong> his suffer<strong>in</strong>g, that<br />
God’s love will outlast the pa<strong>in</strong> that he endures!
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