A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 44

Text: Psalm 13

FEELING EMOTIONALLY SPENT

The psalmist David seemed emotionally spent as he struggled with his feelings. He seemed confused and upset. He was not even certain if he would survive the attacks of his enemies. He feared that he had come to the end of his tethers if not his life. He was emotionally frazzled if not totally spent!

MAKING A TREMENDOUS EFFORT TO PRAY

David had gained great experience in the field. He knew that no matter how weary he may feel, he must make another tremendous effort to pray. Yes, there were times when prayer would demand much from him. He must find that strength to pray one more time.

HOW SHOULD ONE PRAY?

This question is just as important. What should one pray about? David's prayer to the Lord at this point in his life offers invaluable insight.

1. Bare the heart to God

Before David went any further, he decided that he must do one important thing. He must learn to bare his heart to the Lord completely. Did he feel out of sorts? Did he feel sadness? He must pour out his heart to the Lord. There is no mistaking the strength of this emotional outburst in this refrain.

"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?"
Psalm 13:1-2

2. Seek Enlightenment

Prayer is a tremendous recourse to the Lord that must not be taken for granted! Could a person pour out all his feelings to God in prayer? David did exactly that! But he did much more than that. He knew that he must seek to deepen his understanding of what was happening in his life. How we must learn to pray along the same line too!

God was not far from him! He knew the Lord well enough to know that He had not abandoned him. How then should he respond to this difficult situation? He knew that he had to seek special enlightenment from the Lord if he were to ever make sense out of the predicament he found himself in. Thus with all his heart he cried out.

"Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes.
Lest I sleep the sleep of death…"
Psalm 13:3

With the greatest sense of urgency, David poured out his heart to the Lord to grant him understanding. The Lord may or may not extricate him from his complex situation in his life. But if he had wisdom and enlightenment, he would cope far better!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~