The prayers of pain
Depression is lonely.
Very few understand. Very few will walk along side.
For me, depression is an opportunity to relinquish all. Anything. Everything to the Lord. It’s a training ground for God to prepare me for the next phase.
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (Psalm 130)
Eugene Peterson, translator of “The Message” and author of “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” writes this about Psalm 130 and suffering:
By setting the anguish out in the open and voicing it as a prayer, the psalm gives dignity to our suffering. It does not look on suffering as something slightly embarrassing that must be hushed up and locked in a closet (where it finally becomes a skeleton) because this sort of thing shouldn’t happen to a real person of faith. And it doesn’t treat it as a puzzle that must be explained, and therefore turn it over to theologians or philosophers to work out an answer. Suffering is set squarely, openly, passionately before God. It is acknowledged and expressed. It is described and lived.
Oh, thank you Lord for hearing my prayer of pain. I know that you do not waste any pain. I believe Lord that my suffering will find purpose and will be redeemed. Thank you Lord for working in my life even when I do not see your presence. Forgive me Father for not trusting. Give me an extra measure of faith through this process. In your Son’s redemptive name, Amen
P.S. Thank you for your prayers and suggestions from “I was robbed” post. I have a couple of good resources that are helping me cope with my current insecurities. One thing that has ALWAYS helped me in this area is Ps 139. Watching a rerun of Dr. Oz I saw an incredible interview of Tyra Banks. She explained when she was feeling low her mother instructed her to go into the bathroom, look at herself in the mirror, and not come out until she found something that she liked. Now, couple that thought with the psalmist’s phrase “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” and you have a dynamic prescription for new-found security in Christ.
Posted on June 4, 2012, in depression and tagged depression, Eugene Peterson, lonely, Ps 130, wait. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
I am so thankful that God included the Psalms in His Word. Of course, I love all His Word, but somehow the Psalms really touch me and move me. The picture of waiting for God is so clear in Psalm 130. I like the image you chose to illustrate this – to me, it looks as if she is waiting for the ship to come in. The ship, in this case, being the presence of God. I’m like her, I’m waiting for His presence. I want it more than I want the morning to come and this night to be over.
Thanks for sharing! Again, I’m so glad you’re posting again.
Thank you for your wonderful wise words. I too read Psalm 139 thru tears of depression this morning trying to find some worth. Depression is such a thief! It is a relief to know someone else understands the dread and hopelessness. Thank you for speaking into my life. I know God will not waste this time of pain.