Here’s what they did: O Lord, in distress they sought you, they poured out a whispered prayer (Isaiah 26:16).
Here’s what they knew: O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done all our works (Isaiah 26:12).
Turn to me
Have mercy
I am alone
In deep distress.
My problems
Go from bad to worse.
Save me from them all!
Feel my pain
See my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
See my enemies
They hate me.
Protect me!
Do not let me be disgraced,
In you I take refuge.
May integrity and honesty protect me,
I put my hope in you.
from Psalm 25:16-21 NLT
Turn to me
Be gracious to me
I am lonely
And afflicted.
Bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction
And my trouble,
Forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes.
Guard my soul,
Deliver me!
I take refuge in you.
I wait for you.
From Psalm 25:16-21 ESV
Perhaps one reason God allows distress is so we learn to pray with earnest intensity.*
When David’s life was at stake, he prayed, “Aloud to Yahweh I scream out; Aloud to Yahweh I implore favor! I pour out before Him my trouble; My distress before Him I make known (Psalm 142:1-2).”
*adapted from Ronald Allen, And I Will Praise Him, p.187.
Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
And he hears my voice (Psalm 55:17).
There is always hope.
