A Prayer For When You’re Asking, “How Long?”
by Ron Moore
LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, LORD for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? - Psalm 6:1-5
Sometimes sleep won't come. Sometimes the pain seems unbearable. Sometimes anxiety attacks the soul. Sometimes we don't know if we can make it another day. We cry out, "How long, LORD, how long?" We are confused and frustrated. We long for God's healing.
That's where David is in today's psalm. The circumstance is not known but one thing is clear; David is in "deep anguish." He feels that God is disciplining him. His body is weak. He doesn't know how much longer he can make it. He is in great pain. He doesn't know how much longer he can stand it. He is in distress. He doesn't know how much longer he can take it. He pleads for God's mercy and deliverance.
David's cry for help is based on God's "unfailing love." This attribute of God comes from the Hebrew word chesed. It is used 33 times in the Psalms. It describes God's loyal love, His love of covenant. It is a love that will never let go. No matter how you feel, God will not abandon the believer. No matter how great the anguish, He is by your side. God will never leave you. Hold on! He is there with you.
Father I am barely holding on. Please come to my aid. Please come soon. Because of Jesus I know Your unfailing love. I am holding on and trusting. Give me Your strength. I trust in You alone for deliverance. In Jesus' name. Amen.
This original article can be found here. For more from Back to the Bible and Ron Moore visit backtothebible.org or oneplace.com.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
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