Lament, Finding a Path for Your GriefSample

Part 3: Request

“Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor” (Psalm 86:16-17)

In Hebrews 4:16, we are encouraged, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. We can do this even before our questions and complaints are answered, because we base our requests not on our present circumstances, but on God’s character and promises. That helps us to call upon Him confidently, even when struggling. Pain and belief can coexist, as we see in many Psalms.

For example, Psalm 80:6-7 reads:

“You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!”

There are many different requests to bring to God, depending on the believer’s needs and circumstances. We can cry for rescue, ask the Lord to intervene and restore what’s wrong in this world, ask for forgiveness when we have sinned, or request the punishment of the wicked who make life so hard for others. Or we can simply ask God to listen to us, or teach us the right way through our difficulties, as is expressed in Psalm 86:11.

“Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.”

What would you like to ask God?