Prayer in Crisis (Prayer day 28)

In a crisis we don’t run in panic – we reign through prayer!

Scripture

Psalms 143:1-12 – A Psalm of David in time of crisis

1  Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.
² Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you.
³ My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground
and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.
⁴ I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.
⁵ I remember the days of old.  I ponder all your great works
and think about what you have done.
⁶ I lift my hands to you in prayer.  I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

 ⁷ Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens.
Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.
⁸ Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;  I run to you to hide me.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
¹¹ For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.

Observation

This is an emotionally touching and theologically rich prayer.

1. Why does David feel confident to pray to God in his crisis? (verses 1 and 2)
2. Describe David’s situation in your own words (verses 3 and 4).
3. What does David do to stir his faith and hope? (verse 5).
4. What does David long for in this crisis? (verses 6, 8 and 10?)

Personal Reflection and Application

In his crisis David turns to God in prayer, confident that God is merciful, just and faithful.  In his hopelessness and depression, he recalls God’s saving acts of power and love. As he cries out for deliverance, David asks for God’s presence to comfort him, His Word to strengthen him and His Spirit to guide him through it.

Is there a crisis in your personal life, community or country? Then pray with David through it. (Note: it is best to pray these types of prayers so that you can hear yourself pray).

1. Remind yourself of God’s power and faithful love demonstrated in his saving acts in the Bible.
2. Recall how God has come through for you, your friends or family in the past.
3. Describe the crisis in prayer to God, and how it makes you feel.
4. Slowly pray these three things and wait for God’s answer:

• Ask that God will make you aware of His presence, then wait to discern his presence.
• Ask that God will give you a word of encouragement, then wait for God’s answer.
• Ask that God will guide you with his Spirit, then wait and record your thoughts regarding the situation. Thank God for his presence, strength and guidance.
• Respond in thanks and prayers as you feel.