Psalms like this one help bolster my faith that God knows the human experience. Here David is in deep distress, crying out for God to intervene. Imagine that, a mighty king like David begging for help!
I am grateful for such examples of others willing to voice their vulnerability and inability. It helps me to remember, when I find myself in desperation and not knowing where to turn, that I can shout or cry or yell at God for help. It’s as if I am joining my voice to those of the Bible and my community.
One time I used a silent prayer exercise with youth, inviting them to walk with a candle around the sanctuary where I posted various images. Some pictures were joyful, some were difficult, but all were images of human experience. I invited them to say any prayer that came to their heart as they walked. Some stops along the way were brief, but at some images they lingered a long time. A picture, after all, says a lot. The youth commented how meaningful it was to take the time to reflect and pray, especially on those images where they saw something akin to their own feelings. Praying helped them know they were okay and held in God’s care.
Thank you, God, for hearing me. Amen. —