Week 41
Psalm 102:1-2 “Hear my prayer, O Lord! And let my cry for help come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call answer me quickly.”
This is the psalm for those in distress. When in distress we feel the immobilization of fear and trauma. Our soul darts to and fro for some help and relief. Fear is overwhelming in such times; we sense the presence of danger and the hopelessness of despair.
Where can the traumatized heart turn when the dark shadows of tragedy appear? The psalmist helps us by pointing to several important matters that come to the surface in this discussion.
First, pray to the Lord. Prayerlessness is a great sin! Prayerlessness will leave our souls destitute and sapped of life. No matter how difficult the hour, and no matter how hard the circumstance, turn to the Lord in prayer. The door of prayer is always open to the believer, and the wise Christian will regularly walk through the door of prayer to the very throne room of God.
Second, when we pray, let us be earnest. True prayer must not be shallow and superficial; it must be manly, strong, earnest, and passionate. When praying during times of distress, throw all of your heart into it. Talk to God like this is your last hope; indeed, it may be! God gives attention to His people who give themselves to their prayers, who give themselves in their prayers to the Lord.
Third, seek the presence and attention of God. Surely, God hears the prayers of His people who seek Him in love, in desperation, and in faith. The psalmist asks God to not “hide” His “face” from him. The psalmist besought the Lord that God might “incline” His “ear” to him. The psalmist seeks not the help of an angel, though such help would be greatly appreciated. Rather, the man of God seeks the God of help as much as he seeks the help of God. Often, we find ourselves pursuing God’s blessing more than the God of blessing. There is no separating God’s favor and assistance from God Himself. Let us seek in prayer the presence and attention of God.
Fourth, the psalmist beseeches God to act quickly on his behalf. The psalmist has nowhere else to turn, nor does he need anyone else or anything else. Everything depends upon God, and the psalmist stacks all his hope upon whether or not God will quickly answer his prayer. This is good prayer! This is serious prayer! And God always responds to such prayer. We will get from God EXACTLY what we need, and in short order. Our Lord is not capricious or mean-spirited; His heart is touched with our need and struggle. Turn to Him now with all your heart, pouring out your prayer to Him; He will give you the very best of what you need. You can count on Him, and you will honor Him by turning to Him in prayer.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I throw my burdens upon You right now. With all the gusto of faith, I turn everything over to You. Give what is best; I trust in You. Amen.