Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Pause. Pray. Read. Be Still. Write. Pray. Go about your day or turn in for the night.
Read: Psalm 126
Several years ago, I used my quiet time for praying the psalms. What I discovered is how powerful it is to pray the uncomfortable truth of our lives to God, all those things, from poor choices to the range of negative emotions we would rather sweep under the rug. I am grateful for the psalms for these reasons because they give us words to express when we cannot seem to find the words to pray ourselves.
Be Still: Psalm 126 is a Song of Ascent the pilgrims prayed as they made their way to Jerusalem. This psalm is often prayed during the season of Advent as we ponder anew the humble birth of the Christ child.
This week I needed to be reminded of the power found in the words of the psalm 126 after experiencing a few difficult days full of frustrating emotions. Eugene Peterson’s says, “a common strategy for achieving joy and eliminating the things that hurt us is a change of scenery.” I could not agree more. This is exactly why I either go for a walk or run for a change of scenery, or I turn to the psalms when I need to adjust my perspective.
Being able to speak the words of the psalmist helps me process the negative, unhealthy emotions I have experienced and suppressed for one reason or another and return to a place of joy, laughter, and purpose. I see the psalms as a beautiful gift to us, God’s gift that helps to encourage us to pray in a multitude of ways especially when we cannot find the words to express our emotions.
I hope you will spend time with the psalm today, and if you are feeling especially empowered, take it a step further by reading the beautiful poetic words of your favorite psalms or a psalm you have not read before. Embrace this time, as God’s gift to you.
Pray: God of nature’s beauty and of words expressed through the centuries, thank you for the gift you have given us in the psalms. May I receive comfort and assurance in praying words that changed the perspective of the pilgrims who felt lost and lonely on their journey only to be renewed with excitement and joy after being in God’s presence through prayer. Amen