Raw Prayers: Praying Through Our PainSample

LET ‘WHAT’ LEAD TO ‘WHO’

When we’re in hard seasons, it’s easy to fixate on our circumstances and pain and fill our prayer times with grumbling, worrying, or expectations about how God should help us. Focusing on these things can overshadow our relationship with God and reveal fear, selfishness, and pride within our hearts.

Psalm 22 teaches us that acknowledging who God is in the midst of our troubles redirects our attention and moves our hearts toward worship. David began shifting his focus by intentionally calling to mind God’s character and His historical faithfulness to deliver the Israelite nation. He reminded himself that they were not disappointed when God’s people trusted Him. (Psalm 22:4-5) The next few stanzas describe David’s incremental steps of vulnerability toward God, punctuated by declarations of truth about God. David confessed honestly how he was feeling (like a worm) and what really upset him. Then he reminded himself again who God is, this time reflecting on his personal experience of God’s protection and deliverance. He described how the situation affected him and acknowledged his inability to save himself before shifting his focus again, this time to God’s strength and might.

Honest confession and reflection, followed by declarations of God’s character and care, emboldened David’s prayers and restored his trust in God’s faithfulness. He didn’t ignore or gloss over his pain but instead used it as a bridge to draw closer to God.

David’s ultimate requests were simple; God’s presence and deliverance. Focusing on WHO God is allowed him to set aside his fear and expectations. Fixing his eyes on God himself helped David move through his pain and find the assurance and hope he needed.

Ask Yourself:

-When have you been tempted to fixate on your problems or pain?

-What about those circumstances did (or could) help you see God’s character more clearly?

Pause to pray through your pain: Try using Psalm 16 as a basis for prayer today. Pray through it as it is written once, and then pray through it a second time using your own words or examples to apply to your situation.

Take the Next Step: Spend time journaling about times when God has demonstrated faithfulness in your community, family, and personal life. Bookmark that page as a resource to help you shift your focus during future struggles.