Learning to Pray Like the Psalmists

Learning to Pray Like the Psalmists

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Being Rigorously Honest in Prayer

Being Rigorously Honest in Prayer

Rigorous Honesty in Prayer

Perhaps this is an area where we need help. Not suggesting that we are dishonest in prayer.But are we transparently honest?

God knows everything (Psalm 139:13-16)What good does it do to hide feelings and

emotions from God?

Perhaps this is an area where we need help. Not suggesting that we are dishonest in prayer.But are we transparently honest?

God knows everything (Psalm 139:13-16)What good does it do to hide feelings and

emotions from God?

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Candid Honesty: Psalm 10:1— Why ado You stand afar off, O LORD?

Why bdo You hide 1Yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 13:1-2—How long, O LORD? Will You aforget

me forever? How long bwill You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I atake counsel in my soul, Having bsorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Psalm 22:1-2— My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? 1bFar from my deliverance are the words of my 2cgroaning. 2 O my God, I acry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but 1I have no rest.

Psalm 10:1— Why ado You stand afar off, O LORD? Why bdo You hide 1Yourself in times of trouble?

Psalm 13:1-2—How long, O LORD? Will You aforget me forever? How long bwill You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I atake counsel in my soul, Having bsorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Psalm 22:1-2— My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? 1bFar from my deliverance are the words of my 2cgroaning. 2 O my God, I acry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but 1I have no rest.

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Candid Honesty: Psalm 42:5-6—Why are you 1bin despair, O my soul? And why

have you become cdisturbed within me? 2dHope in God, for I shall 3again praise 4Him For the 5ehelp of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is 1in despair within me; Therefore I aremember You from bthe land of the Jordan And the 2peaks of cHermon, from Mount Mizar.

Psalm 42:11—Why are you 1in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? 2Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The 3help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 69:1-3—Save me, O God, For the awaters have 1

threatened my life. 2 I have sunk in deep amire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a 1bflood overflows me. 3 I am aweary with my crying; my throat is parched; My b

eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Psalm 42:5-6—Why are you 1bin despair, O my soul? And why have you become cdisturbed within me? 2dHope in God, for I shall 3again praise 4Him For the 5ehelp of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is 1in despair within me; Therefore I aremember You from bthe land of the Jordan And the 2peaks of cHermon, from Mount Mizar.

Psalm 42:11—Why are you 1in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? 2Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The 3help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 69:1-3—Save me, O God, For the awaters have 1

threatened my life. 2 I have sunk in deep amire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a 1bflood overflows me. 3 I am aweary with my crying; my throat is parched; My b

eyes fail while I wait for my God.

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At times the psalmists felt like God was far away. They felt like God was ignoring them. They felt like God would not listen or answer. They were sad. They were discouraged. They were anxious. They were lonely. They were afraid. They were angry. They felt like God no longer loved them. They expressed it to God.

At times the psalmists felt like God was far away. They felt like God was ignoring them. They felt like God would not listen or answer. They were sad. They were discouraged. They were anxious. They were lonely. They were afraid. They were angry. They felt like God no longer loved them. They expressed it to God.

Rigorously Honest In Prayer J. Ellsworth Kalas: “I have chosen the words candor and candid

quite deliberately. I might have used the word honest, but I have a specific image in mind… “The book of Psalms is full of candid pictures. It seems never to give us a posed shot. Instead, the psalms show us the writer just as he or she felt at a particular moment. This is one of the loveliest gifts of the book of Psalms. The Bible has preserved for us pictures of saints in come of their least saintly moments. If I had written some of the psalms, I would have left behind a request: ‘Please destroy after I am gone.’ But the Scriptures have saved these pictures. We are privileged to see the spiritual giants who wrote the psalms, not in portraits of their spiritual finery, but in the rags of their candid struggles.” (Longing to Pray: How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God. Abingdon Press, Nashville,

2006.)

J. Ellsworth Kalas: “I have chosen the words candor and candid quite deliberately. I might have used the word honest, but I have a specific image in mind… “The book of Psalms is full of candid pictures. It seems never to give us a posed shot. Instead, the psalms show us the writer just as he or she felt at a particular moment. This is one of the loveliest gifts of the book of Psalms. The Bible has preserved for us pictures of saints in come of their least saintly moments. If I had written some of the psalms, I would have left behind a request: ‘Please destroy after I am gone.’ But the Scriptures have saved these pictures. We are privileged to see the spiritual giants who wrote the psalms, not in portraits of their spiritual finery, but in the rags of their candid struggles.” (Longing to Pray: How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God. Abingdon Press, Nashville,

2006.)

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Rigorously Honest In Prayer Have we read passages like Romans 5:3-5;

Philippians 4:6; James 1:2-6 and felt to express feelings of distress, struggling, anger, doubting etc. were wrong?

Therefore attempt to cover up our feelings to the Lord.

The Psalmists did not cover up their feelings instead they brought them directly to God.

They overcame their feelings and struggles, not by shutting them off, but by presenting them in prayer.

Have we read passages like Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 4:6; James 1:2-6 and felt to express feelings of distress, struggling, anger, doubting etc. were wrong?

Therefore attempt to cover up our feelings to the Lord.

The Psalmists did not cover up their feelings instead they brought them directly to God.

They overcame their feelings and struggles, not by shutting them off, but by presenting them in prayer.

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Rigorously Honest in Prayer In Psalm 10, the Psalmist began with a feeling that God was far away

(Psalm 10:1). Yet, they later admit God was actually near and listening. (Psalm 10:14 ).

While they began by saying they felt God had forgotten them and hidden His face. (Psalm 13:1-2). They ended by admitting they trusted in God and knew they would rejoice in His salvation. (Psalm 13:5-6)

While they began by saying God had forsaken them. (Psalm 22:1) They ended by admitting God would help them and they would tell of His help to everyone who would listen. (Psalm 22:19-22)

While they began by saying they were parched and tired of praying so much to God. (Psalm 69:1-3) They ended by admitting they knew God would hear and respond and they would praise Him for it. (Psalm 69:30-36)

In Psalm 10, the Psalmist began with a feeling that God was far away (Psalm 10:1). Yet, they later admit God was actually near and listening. (Psalm 10:14 ).

While they began by saying they felt God had forgotten them and hidden His face. (Psalm 13:1-2). They ended by admitting they trusted in God and knew they would rejoice in His salvation. (Psalm 13:5-6)

While they began by saying God had forsaken them. (Psalm 22:1) They ended by admitting God would help them and they would tell of His help to everyone who would listen. (Psalm 22:19-22)

While they began by saying they were parched and tired of praying so much to God. (Psalm 69:1-3) They ended by admitting they knew God would hear and respond and they would praise Him for it. (Psalm 69:30-36)

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Rigorously Honest in Prayer

While the Psalmists freely expressed their feelings, they did not allow their feelings to affect their faith (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)

They expressed these feelings to God because of their faith. God does hear. God does care even though they didn’t understand His actions.

While the Psalmists freely expressed their feelings, they did not allow their feelings to affect their faith (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)

They expressed these feelings to God because of their faith. God does hear. God does care even though they didn’t understand His actions.

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Applications:

We are allowed to express our emotions to God. God is big enough to handle such emotions. We should not cover up our emotions even when

they express doubt, distress, etc. but express them. In fact, God wants us to bring our emotions to Him. While working through these emotions we will most

often be led to praise God. Therefore prayer truly is a great avenue to turn

anxiety to joy.

We are allowed to express our emotions to God. God is big enough to handle such emotions. We should not cover up our emotions even when

they express doubt, distress, etc. but express them. In fact, God wants us to bring our emotions to Him. While working through these emotions we will most

often be led to praise God. Therefore prayer truly is a great avenue to turn

anxiety to joy.

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Learning to Pray Like the Psalmists

Learning to Pray Like the Psalmists

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The Psalmists Prayed Imprecatory PrayersThe Psalmists Prayed Imprecatory Prayers

The Psalmist Used Imprecation: Psalm 109:1-13—O aGod of my praise, bDo not be silent! 2 For they have

opened the 1wicked and adeceitful mouth against me; They have spoken 2against me with a blying tongue. 3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me awithout cause. 4 In return afor my love they act as my accusers; But bI am in prayer. 5 Thus they have 1a

repaid me evil for good And bhatred for my love. 6 Appoint a wicked man over him, And let an 1aaccuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is judged, let him acome forth guilty, And let his bprayer become sin. 8 Let ahis days be few; Let banother take his office. 9 Let his achildren be fatherless And his bwife a widow. 10 Let his achildren wander about and beg; And let them bseek sustenance 1far from their ruined homes. 11 Let athe creditor 1seize all that he has, And let bstrangers plunder the product of his labor. 12 Let there be none to 1aextend lovingkindness to him, Nor bany to be gracious to his fatherless children. 13 Let his aposterity be 1cut off; In a following generation let their bname be blotted out.

Psalm 109:1-13—O aGod of my praise, bDo not be silent! 2 For they have opened the 1wicked and adeceitful mouth against me; They have spoken 2against me with a blying tongue. 3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me awithout cause. 4 In return afor my love they act as my accusers; But bI am in prayer. 5 Thus they have 1a

repaid me evil for good And bhatred for my love. 6 Appoint a wicked man over him, And let an 1aaccuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is judged, let him acome forth guilty, And let his bprayer become sin. 8 Let ahis days be few; Let banother take his office. 9 Let his achildren be fatherless And his bwife a widow. 10 Let his achildren wander about and beg; And let them bseek sustenance 1far from their ruined homes. 11 Let athe creditor 1seize all that he has, And let bstrangers plunder the product of his labor. 12 Let there be none to 1aextend lovingkindness to him, Nor bany to be gracious to his fatherless children. 13 Let his aposterity be 1cut off; In a following generation let their bname be blotted out.

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Imprecation Is a Reoccurring Theme in the Psalms

Various scholars have identified as many as 11 Psalms as imprecatory: Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, and 139

Shane Scott cites Psalm 55, 59, 69, 79, 109 and 137 as imprecatory. “Psalms of Vengeance: The Problem of the Imprecatory Psalms.” A Tribute to Melvin Curry, Jr. Ed. Ferrell Jenkins, Temple Terrace, FL: Florida College Book Store, 1997.

C. Hassell Bullock classifies Psalms 35, 55, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137 and 139 as imprecatory. Encountering the Book of Psalms, Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic, 2001.

J. Carl Laney would classify Psalms 7, 35, 58, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137 and 139 as imprecatory. “A Fresh Look at Imprecatory Psalms,” Biblitheca Sacra 138; (January, 1981) Dallas Theological Seminary.

Various scholars have identified as many as 11 Psalms as imprecatory: Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, and 139

Shane Scott cites Psalm 55, 59, 69, 79, 109 and 137 as imprecatory. “Psalms of Vengeance: The Problem of the Imprecatory Psalms.” A Tribute to Melvin Curry, Jr. Ed. Ferrell Jenkins, Temple Terrace, FL: Florida College Book Store, 1997.

C. Hassell Bullock classifies Psalms 35, 55, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137 and 139 as imprecatory. Encountering the Book of Psalms, Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic, 2001.

J. Carl Laney would classify Psalms 7, 35, 58, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137 and 139 as imprecatory. “A Fresh Look at Imprecatory Psalms,” Biblitheca Sacra 138; (January, 1981) Dallas Theological Seminary.

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How Are We to View These Psalms? How should we view them in light of passages like Romans 13:8-10; John

13:34-35;

How Are We to View These Psalms? How should we view them in light of passages like Romans 13:8-10; John

13:34-35;

A Look at the Imprecation Psalms

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A CAREFUL READING OF ROMANS 12:17-13:10 WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT GOD’S JUST PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED FREES THE CHRISTIAN TO LOVE HIS ENEMY.

A CAREFUL READING OF ROMANS 12:17-13:10 WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT GOD’S JUST PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED FREES THE CHRISTIAN TO LOVE HIS ENEMY.

Lessons from David David did take his own revenge

David had a chance to enact vengeance against Saul 1 Samuel 24:1-12; 1 Samuel 26:5-20;

David refused to take vengeance on Absalom 2 Samuel 18:5;

David refused to take vengeance on Shimei 2 Samuel 19:18-23;

When David was tempted to take revenge, he thanked the woman who stopped him. (1 Samuel 25:23-25)

David did good to his enemies. (Psalm 35:12-14; 2 Samuel 1:19-27) When David perceived his enemies to be the implacable enemies of the

Lord. He prayed to God and asked for judgment upon them.

David did take his own revengeDavid had a chance to enact vengeance against Saul

1 Samuel 24:1-12; 1 Samuel 26:5-20; David refused to take vengeance on Absalom

2 Samuel 18:5; David refused to take vengeance on Shimei

2 Samuel 19:18-23; When David was tempted to take revenge, he thanked the woman who

stopped him. (1 Samuel 25:23-25) David did good to his enemies. (Psalm 35:12-14; 2 Samuel 1:19-27) When David perceived his enemies to be the implacable enemies of the

Lord. He prayed to God and asked for judgment upon them.

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We Can Follow the Same Pattern:

We can love our enemies and do good to them. If they are the evil, mean spirited enemies of

the cross. Then in interest of HIS NAME we can call upon the Lord, express our grievances and ask Him to judge.

This leaving judgment and vengeance in the hands of God frees us up to love our enemies. Acts 4:29— “And 1now, Lord, take note of their

threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may aspeak Your word with all bconfidence,

We can love our enemies and do good to them. If they are the evil, mean spirited enemies of

the cross. Then in interest of HIS NAME we can call upon the Lord, express our grievances and ask Him to judge.

This leaving judgment and vengeance in the hands of God frees us up to love our enemies. Acts 4:29— “And 1now, Lord, take note of their

threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may aspeak Your word with all bconfidence,

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Conclusion: Are we honest with God and self in prayer?

If you are struggling don’t be afraid to pour out those feelings to God in prayer.

When we pray like the Psalmists it does not weaken faith or indicate a weak faith but strengthens our faith.

When enemies of the cross behave in evil malicious ways then we can approach God in prayer asking Him for judgment. This behavior leaves judgment and vengeance in the

hands of God. This behavior allows us to love our enemy.

Are we honest with God and self in prayer?If you are struggling don’t be afraid to pour out those

feelings to God in prayer. When we pray like the Psalmists it does not weaken

faith or indicate a weak faith but strengthens our faith.

When enemies of the cross behave in evil malicious ways then we can approach God in prayer asking Him for judgment. This behavior leaves judgment and vengeance in the

hands of God. This behavior allows us to love our enemy.

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