Prayer in the Midst of Life's Struggles

25 My mouth breathes nothing but the dust,

restore me to vitality and nourish me with your word.

26 I declared your ways, and you answered me;

teach me your statutes.

27 Make me understand the ways of your precepts,

that I may meditate on your wonders.

28 My frame sags from sorrow;

raise me according to your word!

29 Put far from me the way of falsehood,

and through your law show me your favor.

30 The way of truth have I chosen,

your ordinances I consider supreme.

31 I have clung to your precepts;

Yahweh, do not humiliate me!

32 I shall run the way of your commandments,

if you enlarge my understanding.

Introduction

A. Depression

B. A spirit of devotion, determination and dependence

Lesson

Dahood, M., S. J. (2008). : 101-150: Introduction, translation, and notes with an Appendix: The Grammar of the Psalter (Vol. 17A, p. 162). New Haven; London: Yale University Press.

Times of trouble come to all of us

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 26

7 The way of the righteous is smooth;

O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.

8 Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD,

We have waited for You eagerly;

Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.

9 At night my soul longs for You,

Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;

For when the earth experiences Your judgments

The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

10 Though the wicked is shown favor,

He does not learn righteousness;

He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness,

And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD.

Times of humiliation (25)

Times of humiliation (25)

A woe so deep that he feels glued to his grief

He feels as though his life is choked out

His inmost being feels helplessly doomed

Times of weariness (28)

Times of temptation (29)

Times of disappointment (31)

2. Prayer for the Word to bring: (7 prayers)

Renewal in times of desperation (25)

Choose life over death (Deut. 32:39-47)

Embrace wisdom (Prov. 6:20-23, 10:16-17)

Cleave to God (, Jer. 38:20)

Knowledge in times of confusion (26-27)

Strength in times of need (28)

Grace in times when we stray from God’s way (29)

Favor in times of shame (31)

Fixation on God’s word even though the world shouts against it (27)

Settling of our heart on the wonders of God’s word (27)

Enlarging the picture so we might see God’s perspective (32)