Psalms: Part 3 - 'Cries of Lament'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Psalm 38
A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your rage!
2 Your arrows have struck deep,
    and your blows are crushing me.
3 Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
    my health is broken because of my sins.
4 My guilt overwhelms me—
    it is a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and stink
    because of my foolish sins.
6 I am bent over and racked with pain.
    All day long I walk around filled with grief.
7 A raging fever burns within me,
    and my health is broken.
8 I am exhausted and completely crushed.
    My groans come from an anguished heart.
 
9 You know what I long for, Lord;
    you hear my every sigh.
10 My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
    and I am going blind.
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
    Even my own family stands at a distance.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
    Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
    All day long they plan their treachery.
 
13 But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14 I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.
15 For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
    or rejoice at my downfall.”
 
17 I am on the verge of collapse,
    facing constant pain.
18 But I confess my sins;
    I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19 I have many aggressive enemies;
    they hate me without reason.
20 They repay me evil for good
    and oppose me for pursuing good.
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
    Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
    O Lord my saviour.



Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, comfort us in our times of testing, trial and sorry. Hear our cries of lament, and of confession. Forgive us and deliver Lord, for you are faithful and kind, even when we are sinful and foolish. Redeem our times of pain and torment, make things whole and good again O God. We put our trust in You, Mighty God, for we know even in our pain that You love us and Your will for us is perfect, and that work through all things for good. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. What are your habits of prayer? When do you pray, and do you pray alone or together?
2. Do you have a special “time and place” that you always go to for Bible reading, reflection and prayer?
3. Do you include prayers of confession? Do you ‘get it all out’ with God?
4. Is there any situation right now that you are struggling with? Have you taken it to God in honest lament, the way the psalmists did?
5. Have you close friends that you are able to share with and pray with?
6. How is your faith in God? Do you trust God, even if you don’t like the current situation?
7. How might your life right now be different if you prayed really honestly, then trusted God for the long term?