Today’s Reading: Psalm 79

How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?
    Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?
Psalm 79:5

How long?

How often do we ask this question when waiting? Sometimes, we ask the question with hope and joyful longing: waiting for a child to be born, waiting for graduation, waiting for one of the great joys of life. Sometimes, we ask the question with exasperation: waiting for a hardship to end, a season to close, pain to subside.

Throughout the Psalms, the authors ask this question of God reflectively. How long, God? How long will you let evil triumph, stay angry, remain distant, refuse to hear me, how long, God? Consider how you relate to this question. Where do you have longing? Or where have you known longing?

The question tells us the Psalm is one of lament. Praying with the form of a lament, following the example of Psalms like 79, can be a helpful way to pray when waiting. Laments have four parts:
1) Address to God. Start the prayer with a name for God that’s meaningful to you.
2) Complaint. This is where “how long” comes in. What is the issue? Where are you struggling? Even if that’s anger with God, that’s okay. This is where it goes.
3) Request. What do you want God to do as a result? We might also call this intercession.
4) Expression of faith. Tell God what you believe, why you trust, or speak to God’s character.

A simple prayer of lament sounds like this: “Father, I am suffering today. Relieve my suffering and bring me to peace. In you is true peace, and in your light, I see light. Amen.”

Lamenting gives our needs, our wrestlings, our souls, to God. It’s a way of drawing more deeply into relationship with God, presenting the depths of our souls to the One who can and will provide.

Think
Where am I asking, “how long” in my life? What do I need God to do?

Pray
Follow the form of a lament prayer, giving to God your needs and wants.

Do
Write out your lament prayer and then track how God has moved as you lament.

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.