_________________________ Praying Through The Bible _________________________ The Bible was written by people who knew what it was to cry out to a silent God, to come to the end of themselves, to feel their emotions going "over the edge." Yet they are important to us because they eventually recovered their sense of joy and confidence in God. We can find renewed hope by using their thoughts as a path for our own hearts and prayers. Psalm 42 is a good example. The author cried out to God and expressed his honest emotions until he rediscovered truths he had forgotten. First we will quote a verse, then we'll show how you might pray, based on what the verse says: ____________________________________________________ As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for ... the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2). ____________________________________________________ Lord, I feel so dry and tired and weak from running. I don't know how much longer I can go on. If You don't help me I'm not going to make it. I know that someday I will stand before You, but I long to hear from You now. What do You want from me? What do You want me to do? ____________________________________________________ My tears have been my food day and night while they continually say to me, "Where is your God?" (v.3). ____________________________________________________ Father, I wonder why You aren't helping me. I've been so open in the past about trusting You. But now I feel ashamed before those who have heard me talk about how faithful and trust- worthy You are. ___________________________________________________ I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise (v.4). ___________________________________________________ I used to enjoy You in the presence of Your people. We laugh- ed and prayed to together. Yet now I feel so alone. Those times of joy seem so far away. ____________________________________________________ The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the day- time, and in the night His song shall be with me-- a prayer to the God of my life (v.8). ____________________________________________________ I do believe that the day is coming whey You will again let me experience your kindness. I believe that You will once again give me songs in the night. ____________________________________________________ I will say to God my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning?" (v.9) ____________________________________________________ Father, even though I know You will help me, my fears still keep coming back over me like waves. In spite of my faith in You, I feel so forgotten and alone. Why do You let me, Your child, spend my time mourning rather than praising? ____________________________________________________ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God (v.11) ___________________________________________________ Yes, I will yet praise You, Lord. You are my only hope. I praise You for Your goodness. Forgive me for doubting You. I will wait for You to restore my joy! _______________________________________________________________ Bible Passages to Pray Through When: . In danger: Psalm 91 . Needing courage: Joshua 1 . Depressed: Psalm 34:139 . Seeking forgiveness: Psalm 32:51 . Worried: Philippians:4 . In doubt: Hebrews 11 . Facing a crisis: Psalm 121 . Needing Assurance: Romans 8, 1 John 5 . Discouraged: Psalm 23:42, . Thankful: Psalm 136 Isaiah 40 . Tempted: Psalm 1, . Joyful: Psalm 100 1 Corinthians 10 . Lonely: Psalm 27 _______________________________________________________________ Adapted from the Radio Bible Class booklet, "Praying With Confidence", by David Egner (Q0712). ----------------------------------------------------------- Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written permission must be obtained from RBC for any further posting or distribution. RBC provides a variety of Bible resources, which are free of charge. RBC is not funded by any group or denomination, and support comes voluntarily from its Members and Friends. Write for more information, or call 1-800-598-7221. ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread/extras: praythru.txt