December 8 | Psalm 130

Dave Mann
6 days ago
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Praying When Life Is Hard

By Dave Mann

What do you pray when life is really difficult? Sometimes life is so bad that we are angry with God. Sometimes, we don’t feel very spiritual and we don’t really feel in the mood to pray.

There are times when we are in the presence of other believers. Our lives are filled with many problems but everyone else seems to be doing just fine. They smile. They pray. But we don’t feel like any of that.

There are several psalms that bear the title “A Psalm of Ascent” -- Psalms 120-134. Israelites would sing these psalms when they were on their way up the hills as they approached Jerusalem to celebrate one of the religious festivals. It was likely that some of these pilgrims had a life that was not perfectly in order.

Are we allowed to complain to the Lord? Psalm 130 is one of the psalms of ascent that begins with a complaint to the Lord. This Holy-Spirit-inspired prayer teaches us to be honest with our feelings when we pray. Of course, God knows how much we hurt. Let your emotions present themselves before the Lord. But don’t stop there. Keep on going. The first four lines of Psalm 130 are the psalmist’s complaint. Maybe four lines is not enough for you. So, when your life is messed up, let these four lines get you started in prayer. Add whatever you need to make your prayer authentic.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

The psalmist begins with his complaint, but he does not stop there. He also includes a confession. As he complains, he realizes that though his hurt may be largely caused by others, he may not be 100% innocent. He confesses his own sin.

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.

Finally, at the conclusion of the psalm, after complaining and confessing, the author expresses his trust in God.

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.

May our prayers be honest and complete –- with authentic complaint, true confession, and expression of trust.

PRAYER

Lord God, you search our hearts. You know when we hurt and even when we tend to blame you for our woe. Allow us to lay our complete before you –- complaint, confession, and trust. May we come before you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.