4 psalms to read when you are desperate to pray: It happens that we feel hopeless and need God’s help. We are eager to open our hearts to Him, to tell about all the problems we are dealing with and how the situation seems impossible. Prayer should flow easily because we feel a barrier breaking, but the words do not come.
Or maybe we want to communicate with God – to talk to him like a friend. However, no matter how hard we try, we have trouble disorganizing our thoughts or focusing.
We do not know what to pray
At such times, pre-written prayers can encourage us to pray and express our feelings in words and give them life. Although religious practices and the writings of other Christians during this time can be instructive and helpful, nothing can compete with the prayer book of the Bible: the Psalms.
In these beautiful and melodious hymns, we find high praises along with pleas for salvation and expressions of feelings such as sadness and anger. Whatever our circumstances or feelings, we can find a prayer that fits our lives. This includes times when we are desperate for prayer.
Christians should read the Bible alone. As they do this, they will likely find a psalm that speaks to their situation and that the Holy Spirit can use to help them pray.
However, the following list of psalms can be used as a starting point for prayer. Whether we are facing a time of need or a burning desire to connect with God, there is a prayer in the Bible that will help us get our words to God.
1. Psalm 10 – A prayer for justice
Sometimes, because of the overwhelming feeling of injustice, we search hard for the words of prayer and it is useless. We hear about the injustice that has been done to someone or the great evil that has been done against people and we do not know how to express ourselves before God. However, our hearts burn and demand justice.
Psalm 10 gives us words to read and pray when we see oppression and injustice. We feel that God stands far away and is not aware of injustice (Psalms 10:1). It seems that the wicked are prospering and fleeing from the oppression they inflict on the poor (Psalms 10:2-10). They think that God does not see and does not hold them accountable for their sins (Psalms 11:10).
By studying this psalm and making its words our own, we discover a biblical example of how to tell God how we feel and ask Him to act. We ask him to raise his hand and establish justice (Psalms 12:10). To hold the wicked accountable for the evil they have done and to judge them (Psalms 10:13-15).
We are also led to proclaim God’s sovereignty and care. As the psalmist wrote: “O Lord, you hear the longing of the afflicted, you encourage them and listen to their cry, you defend the orphans and the oppressed, so that no mortal will ever cause terror again” (Psalms 10 : 17-18, new international translation). In prayer, we express our longing to end wrongdoing in the world, while also affirming that God will bring about justice. Evil will not win forever.
2. Psalm 13 – A prayer for when you feel God is not listening
Our prayers can also be affected if we think God is far away or not listening. We may feel that God is not present and has a deaf ear to our words. When this happens, we can read Psalm 13 and dedicate these words to God.
David felt that God had forgotten him and turned away from him (Psalms 13:1-2). He begged God to answer him (Psalms 13:3). If God did not guide and help him, he knew that his enemies would win over him and sell him pride (Psalms 13:2-4). David’s anxiety is evident through his asking God how long he should struggle with his thoughts and be sad in his heart (Psalms 13:2).
Even in the midst of forgotten emotions, David turns prayer into praise. He expresses his joy at salvation and that he will praise God for his kindness to him (Psalms 13:5-6). When we pray this psalm, when we are at a loss for words to pray, we are reminded of the abiding truth that God is good and merciful. We may feel that God is not listening, but we can be sure that He is paying attention with love. He will hear our prayers.
3. Psalm 57 – A prayer for salvation
If troubles surround and threaten us, we may despair of prayer. The situations and people involved can be overwhelming and make us feel like we are drowning. At these times, we can relate to David’s prayer in Psalm 57 and practice making his words our own.
David was no stranger to problems and dangers. In the context of this prayer, he had escaped from the bloodthirsty King Saul and hid in a cave. There, he took his complaint to God. He asked God to be his refuge and save him from his enemies (Psalms 57:1-4).
Like many psalms, David hits a good note by focusing on God. He praises and glorifies God in the cave. He mentioned in his writing: “O God, I praise you among the nations. I will sing of you among the people. Because your love is great and reaches the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the heavens” (Psalms 57:9-10, New International Translation).
When trials and tribulations surround us, we can pray this psalm and offer words of praise to our Savior as we seek God’s salvation and mercy.
4. Psalm 63 – A prayer to be eager for God
Experiencing genuine thirst and hunger for God can lead us to a life of more selfless prayer. Many psalms express this yearning for God, including Psalm 63. As we read this psalm, we are left with a growing thirst to grow in our relationship with God and to be able to tell Him honestly that “Your love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3, New International Translation).
David had seen the power and glory of God (Psalms 63:2). Consequently, only God could satisfy him, because no one and nothing else could compare (see Psalm 63:5). He could find peace in the midst of trouble, trusting in his great God to execute justice upon his enemies (Psalms 63:9-10). All this was due to a close relationship with God.
As we study this psalm, it is wise to let the words penetrate us deeply through thought. Read the verses carefully and pause to think about the wonder of knowing the living God. Prayers will definitely come true.
Today in the article : 4 Psalms to Read When You’re Desperate for Prayer? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
