Raw Prayers: Praying Through Our DoubtIsampula

HOW LONG, GOD?

Your next step yesterday was to write down your doubts and questions. Did you do that? If not, please do that now! Some of what you write down may be questions or doubts that you’ve had tucked away in your mind for years. Some may have surfaced recently due to circumstances in your life or the world around you. Regardless of how long you have been wondering, you may have gotten tired of the questions. Like Asaph, you may be exhausted by the search for answers. The struggle to understand God and the world around you might have left you mad or sad or ready to give up altogether.

David understood waiting. He knew what it felt like to be impatient for God to speak, to answer, to give light, to rescue, to save, or to just offer any response at all. Psalm 13 asks, “How long?” four different times. This seems to suggest that it is okay for us to bring our frustrations and weariness to God. Consider this, though we are worn out and worn down, God is not. He does not tire. His attention never wavers. He hasn’t lost his grip on the world. His sovereignty is not threatened by our questions. This doesn’t mean that trust, faith, or submission are easy for us. It does mean that no matter where we are in our hearts and heads, God is unwavering, constant, and sure.

Ask Yourself:

-Have you ever wanted to throw a tantrum at God? What stopped you or propelled you to go ahead with it?

-David says, “I have trusted in your steadfast (unfailing) love.” What does it mean to you that God is steadfast in the midst of your rage or sorrow or doubt?

Pause to pray through your doubt: Use Psalm 13:1-2 to pray a raw prayer to the Lord. Look at the doubts and questions you have already written down and use them to re-write these verses in your own words.

Take a Next Step: David trusted God because he knew Him well. It is very hard to trust someone you don’t know. Using your Bible app, search for “steadfast love” or “unfailing love” and read about the God who loves you.