As our little community gathered to pray with Psalm 130, the desire for God to hear us emerged. One listener remembered her young child sitting on her lap, grabbing her cheeks in his hands and saying, “Listen to me!” Just as he wanted his mother to stop and listen to him, we long for God to hear our cry, to pay attention to what we bring. We long for our prayer to be an authentic place for our innermost soul to be expressed and heard — a place where we call out to God for help with our deepest need — a place where we ask to be forgiven — a safe place where God offers forgiveness.
Several of us remembered crying out to God in a lengthy time of great trial, calling out for years. Our souls parched with grief and exhaustion, we were waiting for God, longing for an end to the darkness, longing for the dawn. Just like the psalmist, we were counting on the promise of God’s lovingkindness, yearning for God to make things right, remembering to breathe in hope each day.
As you linger with the psalm, notice what stirs in your soul. What rises up? What do you long for God to hear? Bring whatever comes and offer it in prayer, calling out to God. Pause and know that God is listening, and that as you wait you are held in the tender arms of God’s unfailing love.
Sarah Patton
Psalm 130 New Living Translation
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
From the depths of despair, O LORD,
I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
LORD, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
I am counting on the LORD;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
O Israel, hope in the LORD;
for with the LORD there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer.
Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 130 Tree of Life Version
A Song of Ascents.
Out of the depths I cry to You, ADONAI!
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my supplications.
If You, ADONAI, kept a record of iniquities—
my Lord, who could stand?
For with You there is forgiveness,
so You may be revered.
I wait for ADONAI, my soul waits,
and in His word I hope.
My soul waits for my Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning,
watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for ADONAI.
For with ADONAI there is lovingkindness,
and with Him is full redemption,
and He will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.