Have you ever issued a distress call? Maybe you fell and cried out for someone to help you get up. Perhaps you were injured or sick and called 911 to come and rescue you. Clearly, the writer of Psalm 120 in the Old Testament was in distress. Did you notice to whom he cried out for rescue and help? He cried out to the LORD, the One who created him. He cried out to the One who knows what the outcome of our distress will be before it even began.
You may be wondering why it is important to pray to God when He already knows about your crisis. The fact is that God’s greatest priority is a relationship with you, His child. Any relationship needs communication and interaction to be deep and meaningful. Yes, God wants to be available with emergency response, but He is patiently waiting for you to speak to Him.
Another passage in the Book of Psalms underscores our focus today:
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble. Psalm 142:1-2
Written while he was hiding in a cave in fear of his life, King David pours his heart out to God. Not only does God hear David’s complaint, but He hears his heart. The same God that provided comfort and rescue to David is offering His open arms to you, my friend. Don’t worry about saying the right words, or even being calm before your Heavenly Father. Empty yourself of the hurt, anger and despair that is holding you captive and share it with God. Don’t hold it in. Take a lesson from King David and give yourself permission to cry and complain to the One who knows you so well that He knows how many hairs are on your head!
Journaling Prompts 1. Read Psalm 120. What phrases in the passage resonates with your soul? Write them down.
2. Write a letter to God telling Him of the troubling and hurtful things that are on your heart.
3. After you have written your letter to God, pray and ask Him to reveal any underlying issues to which you may be blind. Write them down.
4. Describe and identify at least 3 emotions you have experienced in the last 2 days.
You may be wondering why it is important to pray to God when He already knows about your crisis. The fact is that God’s greatest priority is a relationship with you, His child. Any relationship needs communication and interaction to be deep and meaningful. Yes, God wants to be available with emergency response, but He is patiently waiting for you to speak to Him.
Another passage in the Book of Psalms underscores our focus today:
I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out before him my complaint;
before him I tell my trouble. Psalm 142:1-2
Written while he was hiding in a cave in fear of his life, King David pours his heart out to God. Not only does God hear David’s complaint, but He hears his heart. The same God that provided comfort and rescue to David is offering His open arms to you, my friend. Don’t worry about saying the right words, or even being calm before your Heavenly Father. Empty yourself of the hurt, anger and despair that is holding you captive and share it with God. Don’t hold it in. Take a lesson from King David and give yourself permission to cry and complain to the One who knows you so well that He knows how many hairs are on your head!
Journaling Prompts 1. Read Psalm 120. What phrases in the passage resonates with your soul? Write them down.
2. Write a letter to God telling Him of the troubling and hurtful things that are on your heart.
3. After you have written your letter to God, pray and ask Him to reveal any underlying issues to which you may be blind. Write them down.
4. Describe and identify at least 3 emotions you have experienced in the last 2 days.