James 5:13
Yesterday I preached about emotional healing. As I prepared for this the last couple of weeks, I read and listened to several teachers I respect on the topic of healing. I was encouraged by Pastor Chip Ingram as he pointed out "how" to pray when we need emotional healing. He pointed to the book of Psalms, my favorite devotional guide, and the Psalms of Lament.
A lament is a prayerful cry to God for help. While Psalms is filled with hymns and praise, the largest number of psalms are laments. It's almost as if God knew we would "have trouble in this world" and gave us a practical resource to help us voice our prayers when we are in the pit. Psalms is a worship manual for God's people. So many times when I have not known how to pray, I have found my heart's cry in this book. Most laments in the book of Psalms follow a pattern that's helpful for us to follow: Cry, Character, Commit.
Cry Out To God - honestly pour out your complaint to God
Remember His Character - choose to recall God's faithful character
Commit To Trust God - trust that He will answer
If you're suffering, pray. Don't know how? Open up the Psalms. Find the Psalm that voices your heart's need and pray. Here's a topical list of a few of the Psalms of Lament.
Psalm 3 - when you feel attacked
Psalm 4 - when overwhelmed by your own sin
Psalm 13 - when abandoned
Psalm 38 - when overwhelmed by guilt or shame
Psalm 73 - when you have been treated unjustly
Psalm 74 - when you have been rejected
Psalm 77 - when you're in the middle of a crisis
Psalm 102 - when you're sick
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