Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

I am sarcastically amused by “public service” announcements that say, “Depressed? Feel like taking your own life? Then call this number for help.” Mm, if you are depressed to the point of wanting to die, are you going to get up and call? Probably not. There is Someone who will come to you quickly because He is already there.

What would we do in our “cave” experiences in the lows of depression if we knew God had better plans for us? David cries out to God at one point and says, “You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!” What if we thought of God as our first and BEST chance? What if in the lows we remember that HE is our wonderful hope for life worth living? What if we knew that this momentary cave experience would actually help us to grow stronger, healthier, wiser with more understanding for others going through their own cave times? Who knew that cave experiences make us grow…even bloom…in the dark?

You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all…

Psalm 142, The Message
A David Prayer—When He Was in the Cave

loudly I plead with God for mercy.
I spill out all my complaints before him,
and spell out my troubles in detail:
3-7 “As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I’m feeling,
Know the danger I’m in,
the traps hidden in my path.
Look right, look left—
there’s not a soul who cares what happens!
I’m up against it, with no exit—
bereft, left alone.

‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’
Oh listen, please listen;
I’ve never been this low.
Rescue me from those who are hunting me down;
I’m no match for them.
Get me out of this dungeon
so I can thank you in public.
Your people will form a circle around me
and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!”

Our Father in Heaven,
Thank you for always being with us in our highs and in our lows. It is in our lows that you rein us in, teach us, bless us with your presence and fill us with peace once more. It is in the cave that you have our full attention. You show us your glory and power, love and peace, and we are grateful. In those days when we don’t feel, may we not rely on feelings but continue to hold your hand and draw close to you. May we turn our sorrow to dreams of better days with You forever. May we grow in the cave as we wait for your rescue.
In Jesus Name, Amen
And I’m singing…You Say by Lauren Daigle
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know (ooh oh)
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity, (ooh oh)
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
Oh, I believe
Taking all I have and now I’m laying it at Your feet
You have every failure God, and You’ll have every victory, (ooh oh)
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
Oh I believe (I), yes I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
Oh I believe (oh)
YES! I BELIEVE!