Praying the Psalms A Prayer for Everything

Fear is a universal emotion, and David confronts it by focusing on God's nature, finding courage to wait and trust. Despite being pursued by Saul and later by Absalom, David consistently sought refuge in God, exemplified in 1 Samuel 23:15-28, where Jonathan encourages him not to fear. This session explores childhood and current fears, divine intervention, and metaphors for God used by David. It discusses how David's confidence in God translates into spiritual strength, encourages worship in response to fear, and offers practical ways to seek God's presence. Other relevant psalms about fear include 3, 24, 34, 46, 56

Many psalms are prayers of lament, expressing frustration and anger over God's perceived inaction. Psalm 74, written by Asaph after witnessing Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC, reflects this sentiment while also hoping for future deliverance. This session delves into moments of disappointment with God, crises of faith, and God's seeming inaction during evil times. It examines Asaph's response to the temple's destruction, God's broken promises, and the psalm's turning point that looks to the past for present meaning. Practical applications include speaking honestly with God, finding comfort in creation, and trusting God amidst life's uncertainties. Other psalms expressing disappointment include 13, 22, 39, 44, 60, 77, 79, 88, 102, and 137.

Psalm 32 addresses the destructive power of guilt and the blessedness of forgiveness. David reflects on his misery while hiding his sins and the relief he found upon confessing them to God, who then covered them with grace. This session explores the physical, emotional, and relational consequences of unconfessed sin, the value of confessing sins to another person, and the comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness in Christ. It emphasizes the joy and freedom found in God's atonement and encourages open confession and trust in God's forgiveness. Other psalms of confession include 6, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143.

This session explores how the psalmist, particularly David, channels his anger into prayers for justice, asking God to intervene. While acknowledging the harshness of the language at times, it emphasizes the importance of managing anger appropriately. Psalm 4, written during Absalom’s rebellion, highlights David’s plea for justice and his struggle to find rest amidst betrayal and threats. This study addresses the nature of justified anger, offers biblical examples of righteous anger, and provides practical ways to manage and resolve anger, emphasizing that the LORD hears and responds to our cries for justice. Other psalms addressing anger include 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, and 137.

This session addresses the modern struggle with weariness, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, offering Psalm 62 as a path to ultimate rest for the soul. Despite having all the stress of being a king, judge, and family man, David finds solace in God, who alone provides true rest. The study explores how repetition, self-talk, and trust in God, rather than social status or wealth, lead to peace. It compares David’s rest with the greater rest Jesus offers in Matthew 11:28-30, highlighting the importance of trusting in God and practicing sabbath for rejuvenation. Other psalms of rest include 3, 4, 11, 16, 23, 31, 34, 57, 61, 63, 92, 116, 130, and 131.

This session explores the deep sense of loneliness and isolation many feel today, especially younger people, despite modern technology's connectivity. In Psalms 42-43, the writer, likely a priest taken captive and living far from Jerusalem, expresses grief and isolation but resolves to trust in God. The psalmist's self-talk and hope for better days ahead are central themes. Through a series of questions and reflections, participants are encouraged to find solace in God's presence and to use self-talk to combat loneliness. Other psalms highlighting God's presence include 15, 23, 46, 68, 73, 77, 84, 90, 113, 118, 124, and 139.

This session delves into the universal experience of sickness, which underscores our mortality and the consequences of sin as described in Genesis 3:17-19. Psalm 30, David's song of gratitude after recovering from illness, highlights the theme of healing and points to the ultimate resurrection through belief in Jesus. Participants explore questions about personal experiences with sickness, biblical connections between sin and illness, and the transformative power of Jesus' teachings on sickness and disability. Psalms about sickness include 6, 38, 39, 41, 69, 102, and 143, while those about resurrection include 30, 40, 68, 103, 116, and 118.

This session explores Psalm 107, which vividly illustrates how YHWH rescues people from various distressing situations—wandering in the desert, imprisonment, sickness, and perilous seas—and inspires gratitude through His deliverance. The psalm's structure reflects a pattern of human need, divine intervention, and thankful praise, emphasizing God's enduring love and justice. Participants discuss personal experiences of seeking help, biblical concepts of redemption, and contemporary parallels to homelessness, hunger, imprisonment, and spiritual sickness. Psalm 107 serves as a gateway to Book 5 of the Psalms, celebrating God's saving acts from the exodus to His enduring presence in the lives of His people.