Praying in the Darkness of Despair (Psalm 88, Part 3)

Crying for Help (verses 13-18)

Our daily mercies are anticipated in our morning prayers. Even when He seems to ignore us may we cry to God. May we follow our solemn cries with soul-searching examinations and sorrowful confessions. Jesus bore our guilt, paying a great price for our free salvation.

O Lord, we cry to You. In the morning our prayers come before You. Why do You seem to hide Your face from us? Where are our friends and neighbors? Thank You, loving God, for Your Son, Jesus Christ. May he be our friend forever.

As we experience “the dark night of the soul,” we can know that God’s silence will not last forever. When our minds are in turmoil may feelingly sing this psalm. When our minds are at peace, may we thankfully sing this psalm

I’ll praise Him while He lends me breath;

And when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler pow’rs;

My days of praise shall ne’er be past,

While life, and thought, and being last,

Or immortality endures.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Praying in the Darkness of Despair (Psalm 88, Part 2)

Calling to God (verses 8b-12)

In our despair we call to God for His full deliverance and mercy. May we wrestle with God in prayer, freely expressing our questions. Then may we experience God’s saving power while we have life. Only the living can call to God. Jesus gave us not death but resurrection and life.

Loving God, we feel confined and cannot escape. Our eyes are dim with grief. Every day we call to You. O Lord, give us Your life so that we can see Your wonders. Our spirits rise up and praise You, declaring Your love. Thank You for Your wonders and Your righteous deeds.