“Empty Prayers”
An elderly patient of mine once commented to our dentist, “this season shall pass,” after we chatted about the challenges in life during a routine checkup. My boss wittily replied, “Oh it’ll pass, may pass like a kidney stone, but it will!” I don’t think there has ever been a truer statement. I personally do not know the pain of kidney stones, but the description of a cockle bur, or as we say it in the south, ‘cuckabur,’ passing through our body seals the deal for me.
Life’s circumstances can feel like this at times. We know deep inside the challenge will give way, but it can be painful, stressful and exhausting, even leaving us speechless.
I find myself to be an optimistic person, a glass half full kind of gal, but sometimes difficult incidences develop that bring my thought process to a halt. My perspective narrows and I struggle to even find words to pray. Thoughts such as, “I don’t even know what to pray for,” or “I feel like I keep saying the same prayer,” cloud my mind. My heart will even try to muster up, “God, I know You are still there, but I feel paralyzed in my prayer.”
Have you ever felt paralyzed with your words in prayer? Maybe at a loss for words?
Let me encourage you with something I’ve learned in a difficult season. Consider searching for words to include in your prayer from a book in the Bible-Psalms. A friend suggested reading a Psalm a day and seeking words that pierce my heart. As I thumbed my way out of story land, the Old Testament, and moved towards the middle of my Bible, I was amazed at the discovery. The small black words described all the emotions I was feeling and offered the personal prayer I needed to release.
“I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain,” Psalm 3:4.
“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy,” Psalm 16: 11.
“Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness,” Psalm 18:28.
“The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise,” Psalm 19:7.
“Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long,” Psalm 25: 4-5.
I could go on forever, but will leave the rest for you to find…
As I read through the verses, one Psalm a day, I found myself inserting the names of people I needed to pray for but had struggled to find the words. God was revealing the prayers deep in my heart that became buried with trials, emotions and disappointment.
If you find yourself struggling to speak your emotions into a prayer, seek them within His Word. He will be faithful to reveal them, wait and see.
