Every summer as a church we spend 5-6 weeks studying the Psalms, thinking through how they can inform and direct our prayers.
As I have been reading/praying a Psalm a day, and wrote an essay on the Psalms as part of my student internship with Christ City Church, Steve asked me to share a few thoughts to set up this summer’s series. I’ve been on a journey of discovery this year, and here’s what I’ve learned…
Is prayer easy?
Very often we see prayer as a simple task, so simple even young children can partake. We know it is a good thing to do, and that it is beneficial to us, so why do we not do it more?
In reality, prayer is hard. However, by praying along with the Psalms, we can greatly improve our communication with God. Here are 5 reasons to pray the Psalms:
(1) They are words for us to pray even when we can’t
Whether we are in depths of despair or the heights of exhilaration, it can be difficult to talk to God with our own words. Thankfully, God has provided us with a catalogue of Psalms with which we can pray through for a multitude of situations. We can turn to Psalm 51 and echo the words of David after committing an atrocious sin. The lyrics of Psalm 121 remind us of the security we have in God. Psalm 150 puts into words moments of pure adoration and praise. For every scenario where we cannot articulate the wording necessary to express ourselves, there is a Psalm to accompany it.
(2) To allow us to express emotions, meaning deeper engagement with God
Talented artists not only tell a story through their mediums but also express their emotions surrounding these events. The Psalmists were the top-class poets and musicians of their day, using words to express their desires, laments, hopes, ambitions, mourning, disgust, and a range of other emotions in prayer to God. While commonly we struggle to truly understand our emotions and communicate them to God, we can sing the Psalms to Him using the words the writers skilfully crafted. This enables a deeper engagement with God, emotionally.
(3) For memorization and meditation
Richard Foster summarises meditation as simply ‘the ability to hear God’s voice and obey His word’, something which memorization aids greatly. Reading a single Psalm, or a single part or even a sentence of a Psalm gives us material to meditate on, allowing us to listen to God, and thus aid us in obeying His ways. Being able to recite a Psalm, no matter the situation (or location) enables us to pray in an emergency whilst flat out with work, or to meditate when we have a few hours free on a weekend.
(4) To point us to Jesus
25 out of the 150 chapters in the Psalms contain at least one messianic prophecy. Two thousand years ago Christ fulfilled these prophecies. Psalm 22 details his death in astonishing accuracy. Jesus has become for us the shepherd in Psalm 23, our light and salvation as described in Psalm 27, and the eternal king from the line of David foretold in Psalm 89. Praying through the Psalms highlighting Christ’s birth, nature, name, ministry, betrayal, death and resurrection reminds each of us again of the amazing grace and love God shows us through the cross.
(5) It works for me
Last autumn I found out that my aunt, who spent years working as a missionary in Africa, who leads a healthy lifestyle, who has two sons the same age as me in university and who never smoked, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. I remember hearing the tragic news on the phone, from my mother.
Once home, I began demanding answers from God. How was this fair? How could you let this happen? How can any good come of this?
In frustration at a lack of response more than anything, I opened my bible and God immediately answered me. In Psalm 42 the writer details:
‘My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng’.
Amazingly, this passage matched my particular situation. In my dismay, I had begun to ask ‘where is this God that I follow, that supposedly loves and cherishes me’. Before this news, I was in bliss. The previous summer God had been so good to me. Life was going so well. I was thankful to Him. I had no issues praying, praising or spending time with Him. Moreover, I wanted to do these things. Now, suddenly, this desire had disappeared.
The Psalmist & God’s Promises
In verses 5, 6 and 11 of Psalm 42, the psalmist asks himself why his soul is so downcast. I began to pray to God, admitting and accepting that I felt down, despite the knowledge of His amazing grace and promise of eternal life with Him. I asked God through verse 9 why had He forgotten me and, moreover, my aunt.
However, throughout Psalm 42, there are continual responses from the writer, reminding himself of God’s character. I prayed that I would put my hope in God, to praise Him – my Saviour and God – despite my situation (verses 5 and 11). I prayed that I would remember how God was always there for me, and all He has given me (verse 6). I thanked God for how by night and day He directs His love to me.
After a few minutes praying through Psalm 42, I emerged from a pit of sorrow and frustration and could honestly say ‘For I will yet praise Him’. What a powerful, intimate God we have.
Pray the Psalms with us
So, there are 4 reasons to pray the Psalms and a fifth being my personal experience and how they helped me to pray through a tough time.
Please do join us at 4:15 pm each Sunday this summer as we learn to pray through five different Psalms:
- 4th August – Psalm 19
- 11th August – Psalm 32
- 18th August – Psalm 1
- 25th August – Psalm 136
- 1st September – Psalm 44
We meet at Synge Street Secondary School, Dublin 8.