I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)
PSALMS AS PRAYER
When it comes to prayer, my fervor ebbs and flows. Some days, praises and petitions flow easily, but at other times, I don’t know what to say. The struggles of chronic pain can feel overwhelming, clouding my ability to articulate what’s in my mind and heart.
I whisper, “Jesus, help,” knowing He invites even my most basic cry. I long to tell Him more, giving voice to the ache of body and soul, yet I can’t find the words.
The book of Psalms offers specific support for such moments, paired with strong assurance of God’s character and care. The Lord recently reminded me of this sacred resource and used it to deliver much-needed encouragement.
Following a lovely vacation with my husband, I suffered an extended illness layered on top of pain exacerbated by travel. Waves of exhaustion and sadness threatened to overshadow the blessings of our trip.
FROM WEAKNESS TO CONFESSION AND PERSEVERANCE
One morning, as these challenges persisted, my daily Bible reading led me to a favorite passage:
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Yet rather than being inspired as I had hoped, I felt a troublesome disconnect between the Scripture’s declaration and what my emotions were telling me. I did feel afraid. I did not feel strong. I desperately wanted the LORD to be my light, salvation, and strength, but weakness prevailed.
I continued through the remainder of the chapter, ending with its honest confession and call to perseverance:
I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:13-14)
I breathed a sigh of relief. I could fully relate to the author’s words. The phrase, “I would have lost heart,” resonated with my reality.
PRAYING AND WRITING THE PSALMS
About two weeks later, as my energy improved and I could think more clearly, I reflected on Chronic Joy’s printable resource, Praying and Writing the Psalms, which offers a step-by-step guide to using Psalms to help process what’s happening in our lives. It suggests a verse-by-verse approach, with questions to inspire connection and understanding. For example:
- Who is speaking?
- What is being spoken about?
- Where do you connect with the psalm?
- Which words or phrases catch your attention?
The printable recommended applying this framework to a favorite psalm, so I chose Psalm 27 (quoted earlier). I opted for the “old school” pen-and-paper method, noting key insights and personalizing them to my situation.
Starting with verse 1, I recognized the word is as bold proclamation of God’s strength–whether I felt it or not. I reworded light, salvation, and strength as vision, victory, and valor.
As I proceeded, I was amazed and intrigued by the depth of meaning I discovered. There was far more than I had seen at first glance, so much I could apply. Concluding with verses 13 and 14, I realized that even though giving up amid adversity was my natural tendency, there was always reason for hope. Waiting was certain, but the Lord would provide what I needed to trust His timing.
After finishing this Psalm 27 reflection, I transitioned to silent prayer. The Holy Spirit enveloped me in peace, assuring me of God’s nearness and care. Instilled with fresh courage, I sensed renewed strength to press on, day by day and moment by moment.
AN INVITATION
Tapping into the riches of psalms as prayer offers freedom to explore and express all that is in our hearts to God. I pray each of us will take time to receive this priceless treasure, a gift of soul restoration from the Lord.
In addition to the Praying and Writing the Psalms printable mentioned above, Praying the Psalms provides even further insights, Scriptures, quotes, and study ideas. I invite and encourage you to discover both meaningful resources.
PRAYER
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for providing all we need to experience Your presence and help. Please remind us to turn to Psalms often for inspiration as we pray, knowing that You are always listening. Thank You for Your power and steadfast love to revive us in every place of need. Amen.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- What do you find difficult about prayer?
- When are you most apt to pray?
- How might Psalms be helpful in your approach to prayer?
- As I did, choose a psalm to write in your own words, even if it’s just a few lines. What new understanding did you discover?
Lee Ann Zanon
Staff Writer
Lee Ann is passionate about spreading the truth of Scripture. For decades, she served in various women’s ministry roles (including teaching at Corban University for ten years) until chronic pain dramatically changed her life. Her background as a Bible teacher, retreat speaker, worship leader, editor, and writer has prepared her perfectly for her current focus on writing and providing one-on-one encouragement. Lee Ann and her husband Mike live in Salem, Oregon. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren. She is the author of Honest Hope.
Praying & Writing the Psalms
What is your favorite Psalm? Why? When did you choose it? What was happening in your life at the time? Have you ever considered writing your own psalm?
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