I am part of an online group where we can be really honest with our struggles and can share with one another where we need help. Recently, one of our group shared a very discouraging time that he was going through. I was so impressed with, first of all, his vulnerability, then the overwhelming response of others--the words of encouragement that came through. They were all based on words like this verse--reminding Him to put his hope in God, not downplaying his discouragement, but encouraging him look to the giver of hope.
Are you going through a discouraging time right now? Or do you know someone who is? I would like to share with you a prayer from my book, Praying Prayers God Answers based on God's promises from His Word.
God, I have to be totally honest here; I cannot even work up the energy to care today. So, when I lack the passion please hear my heart. I desperately want to be rid of this despair, this feeling of nothingness, this sadness, this lostness, this loneliness and the multitude of other feelings or lack of feelings that I am lost in. Hear my heart.
Today I am not going to rehearse my lack; I am going to focus on one thing — You. I am going to use what little faith I possess right now (Matthew 17:20) to simply read this prayer based on the promises in Your Word. I will choose to believe that You are the God who calls things that are not as though they are and gives life to the dead (Romans 4:17). Even now I choose to believe You are calling this depression inside of me to a halt. You are giving life to my spirit, my soul. The deadness has to leave. I proclaim freedom from the captivity of despair (Isaiah 61:1).
I will lift my eyes up to the hills, above the problems of life, up to my God where my help comes from. The God of heaven and earth. The very Creator. You are the God I look to (Psalm 121:1,2).
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2,3). That Rock will be my shelter from the storms of life, will be the solid foundation on which I will stand, will be the Rock that smashes through the rubble of my mind. That Rock is Jesus, the Savior of my soul.
This is nothing new to You. Jeremiah, one of the prophets in the Bible dealt with depression — they call him the weeping prophet. David, who was a man after Your own heart wrote many Psalms that start with a sigh and move to a song. Much of Ecclesiastes sounds like it was written from the depths of a soul in distress. Yet their words are in Your Word. You have a plan for me, a plan for my good, a plan to bring me into a good place — a place of hope and joy and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
I will. I will trust in You. I will trust in You. I will trust in You.
There is so much hope found in Your Word. I will read Your words of hope. I will read them until they sink deep in my soul. I choose to believe. I choose to believe not in how I feel, but in Who You are.
You reach down, You take hold of me and draw me out of deep waters (Psalm 18:16). You rescue me from the enemy of my heart, my mind, sometimes when the enemy is my heart or my mind. When they are too strong for me You bring me out into a spacious place, a place of safety, security because You delight in me (Psalm 18:17,19).
You will never abandon me because I am seeking You (Psalm 9:10). You will not ignore my cry (Psalm 9:12). When I am persecuted and feel as though I am resting at the gates of death [or wish I were] You see me and have mercy on me (Psalm 9:13).
You see trouble and grief; You take it in hand. You are the helper of the victim, the fatherless (Psalm 10:14). You hear my desire when I am distressed; You will encourage me and listen through my tears (Psalm 10:17).
I will declare in faith believing Your Word that says you have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my place secure. The boundary lines of my life have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a delightful provision in You (Psalm 16:5,6). I declare it is so. You have made known to me the path of bountiful life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence (Psalm 16:11).
You are my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer. I can take refuge in You. When I need protection You are my shield. When I am weak You are my strength. When the cords of death try to strangle me I can cry out to You. When the torrents of destruction overwhelm me I can cry out to You. In my distress I cry out to You; I cry out to the Lord, my God for help. When I cry out to you, You hear my voice (Psalm 18:2-6). When I cry out to You, You reach down and take hold of me. You draw me out of deep waters. You rescue me from my powerful enemy, from despair too strong for me. You are my support (Psalm 18:16-18).
Your ways are perfect. Your Word is flawless. You are a shield for all who take refuge in You. You will make me strong; You will perfect my way. You make me able, more than able. In You, victory is mine! When I’m walking a path that might make me stumble, You smooth out the path, widening it and smoothing it so I do not fall down (Psalm 18:30-36).
Your Word is perfect, it revives my soul, the very seat of my emotions. Your Word is trustworthy, giving me wisdom. Your Word is right and true, bringing joy to my being. Your Word brings light to my eyes (Psalm 19:7-8).
May the words of my mouth and the focused thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You Lord (Psalm 19:14). Let Your name be seen as noble Lord! I will sing to You; I will praise Your name (Psalm 21:13).
Lord, You are the One who cares for my soul. Because of You I will lack nothing. You will lead me into peaceful places and restore my soul. Even when I walk through deep darkness I can trust in You. I can find comfort in You. Even in the midst of tormenting thoughts and overpowering sadness You will take care of me, showering me with Your care. I will not fear evil. I will walk in the peaceful places that are mine in You. Your guidance, Your correction, Your wisdom…they bring me comfort (Psalm 23).
Though the trees forget to blossom, though the fruit trees forget to bear fruit, though the stores run out of groceries and none are on the way, still I will rejoice in You, I will be joyful in my God, my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18). I will choose joy.
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