When You Wonder WhySample

Praying the Psalms

The psalms serve as a reminder to us that we can be totally honest with God. Filled with a variety of emotions: joy, celebration, anger, sadness, worship and hope, the book of Psalms shows us what it looks like to come before God wherever you are and with anything. From expressions of praise, moments of deep grief and confusion, questions, anger or celebration, God is near and wants us to come to him with it all. Not only can we see the psalms as a reminder that we can be honest with God, we can also use them as a model for our own prayers

Did you know that Jesus prayed the psalms? In Matthew 27:46 we see him quote Psalm 22:1 during his crucifixion saying, “‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (meaning ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).”

Positioning Your Heart

As you read through the psalms, ask yourself, what was the author feeling? You may not relate to their circumstances, but you may be able to identify with what they felt.

While the Holy Spirit already knows what you’re experiencing, sharing what’s on your heart and how you’re feeling—even how you’re feeling about God—allows you to connect with him. Ask him to show you what’s in your heart. You may experience relief after releasing your thoughts to the God who loves you unconditionally.

How to Pray the Psalms

● Select a portion from Psalms that helps you express your heart to God. If you need help finding a verse or chapter, the concordance found in the back of your Bible can help.

● Pray these verses—either word for word, or in your own words—to the Lord. Consider journaling, painting, singing or drawing your prayers to him.

Read through Psalm 27 to help get you started. Ask yourself, what emotions or experiences do you relate to? What parts of it seem strange or foreign? Ask God to show why you relate to certain portions of Scripture while other portions feel foreign.