I went for a walk the other day (down the path you see in the picture above)—and took my verse cards with me.  I’ve been trying to memorize Psalm 13.  It’s a short prayer of David, a prayer that he prayed when he felt defeated.  I was going through some things too.  So I said to myself, “I’m gonna use this prayer.  I’m gonna make it my own.”  Here’s kind of the way I prayed, using David’s words—first reading a section of his prayer and then making it my own prayer.

 

David:

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me?

 

Me:

Lord, I know I’m not going through what David went through, but I’ve got problems too.  You know my problems.  You know what I’m going through, but I don’t sense that you are hearing me.

 

David:

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,

Having sorrow in my heart daily?

How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

 

Me:

Lord, You know the agony I’ve been going through.  You know the struggle I’m having with my situation.  I have not gotten any wisdom from you to gain the answer.  And I sense the demons all around me are laughing at me.  I’m starting to feel defeated.

 

David:

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;

Enlighten my eyes,

Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

 4 Lest my enemy say,

“I have prevailed against him”;

Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

 

Me:

Yes, hear me God, my Lord.  Understand my dilemma.  Please give me some hope so I don’t feel so depressed, so those horrible demons around me won’t any longer laugh and rejoice at my defeat.

 

David:

5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

 6 I will sing to the Lord,

Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 

Me:

Lord, you know how I have in the past trusted in your mercy.  And I do now too.  Even as I feel defeated I trust that you will give me mercy and will deliver me from my sense of defeat.

 Lord, as David chose to sing to you, I choose now to sing to you too, and praise you for whatever you decide to do.  You have always been kind and fair to me, so I know that you will hear and answer my prayers.  I thank and praise you for your everlasting love and kindness.  You have always known how to help me and I trust that you will deliver me and show mw you unfailing love in the time of your choosing.  Amen.

 

Well, that’s kind of how the prayer went.  In a post coming up I will share with you some of the details of what I was going through and how God mercifully answered my prayer.