Raw Prayers: Praying Through Our Painናሙና

A PRAYER BOOK FOR EVERYONE

The world we live in is broken. Pain and suffering are inevitable, even for believers. As we face the consequences of sin, the sting of persecution, and the confusion of unexplained tragedies, we struggle to find the best ways to process our pain. Mercifully, Jesus assured us that although trouble would come, he would equip us to navigate through it. He did this by sending the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. He also personally modeled how to pray through times of pain.

Like the generations of Israelites before him, Jesus used the Psalms as a prayer book, quoting sections or using their themes to express his thoughts and needs to God. The Psalms were written for that purpose; to teach God’s people how to come to Him with their full range of emotions, including pain. Praying certain Psalms gave voice to their suffering and helped them connect with God in the midst of it.

Psalm 22 is a striking example of this type of prayer, and it’s the one Jesus used to express himself to God in His time of deepest pain (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). Scholars don’t know the specific situation that led David to write this deeply personal plea, but God’s Spirit clearly guided him to process his personal pain in a way that prophetically applied to the suffering of Jesus in the moments before His death on the cross.

But Psalm 22 wasn’t just for David’s circumstance and Jesus’ suffering; it also provides guidance for our prayers. Through their examples, we gain confidence that addressing God boldly with our questions, struggles, and pain is not only acceptable – it is the best way to find peace and hope in our times of need.

Ask Yourself:

-What portions of Psalm 22 do you find difficult to relate to?

-What portions can you connect with it?

-How do you think using this (or another) psalm as a basis for prayer can help you go deeper in your conversations with God?

Pause to pray through your pain: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing your word to teach and guide me. Help me to come to you authentically and honestly when I’m confused or hurting. Today I am especially struggling with ______. Please grant me your comfort and counsel… In Jesus’ name, amen.

Take the Next Step: Dig a little deeper into Psalm 22. Try writing an outline of its progression in your own words. What are its primary themes? Make note of any patterns or contrasts that support those themes.