What’s Next – Week 2
How to Pray When You Don’t Know How To
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- CRY OUT TO GOD
I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! 2 When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. Psalm 77:1-2
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.Psalm 72:12
I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. 5 I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. 6 I lift my hands to you in prayer.
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interlude 7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, or my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:4-8
- ADMIT YOUR FEELINGS AND FEAR
I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Psalm 77:3
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.Romans 8:26
I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help Psalm 77:3
Be honest with God
You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! Psalm 77:4
I think of the good old days, long since ended,6 when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now.7 Has the Lord rejected me forever?
Will he never again be kind to me? 8 Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Psalm 77:5-9
- APPEAL TO GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
And I said, “This is my fate; he Most High has turned his hand against me.” 11 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. 12 They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. Psalm 77:10-12
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
- TURN YOUR COMPLAINTS INTO PRAISE
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Habakkuk 3:17-18
O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?14 You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. 15 By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Psalm 77:13-15
“The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”
Psalm 77:16-19
- FOLLOW FEARLESSLY
Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.
Psalm 77:19-20
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3