This week, Sarah Patton invites us to pray.
Letting the words of Psalm 9 soak in, I remembered how the psalmist’s cries had echoed my own during a time of great trouble. I remembered clinging to the words as well as how God had sustained me in my pain – again and again. Thoughts of all the people suffering right now troubled me along with a longing for God to rise up.
Maybe you are in a hard place right now. Or witnessing the suffering of those you love is a heavy burden you carry. Or hearing about oppressed people living in poverty all over our war-torn world seems too much to bear. Perhaps the psalmist’s cries echo your own, too.
As I listened to the psalm, several words and phrases lingered: stronghold, you are ever-present to those who know you, and Love will make itself known. Savoring these, a prayerful conversation with God emerged.
O, Lord, in the midst of my trouble, you said:
Come to me.
I am your stronghold, protecting you from being destroyed,
Your refuge, a retreat from your affliction.
I am with you, always with you,
Though at times you may not feel it.
I am ever present, in you and with you.
For I know you and you know me.
I am Love, all-powerful Love, healing Love,
For you and for all people.
Love stronger than anything that comes against it.
Love will make itself known.
This prayerful response arose:
Yes, Lord,
I know your Love; I know you are Love.
Have your way with me.
May I fully yield to Love.
May all people, all nations know Love, your all-powerful Love.
Lord, shine your love on ALL bringing healing, freedom, and hope.
Amen
As you listen to the Psalm, let it land anew, sensing freshly how God is meeting you in the words.
Psalm 9:9-20 (NRSV)
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion.
Declare his deeds among the peoples.
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O LORD.
See what I suffer from those who hate me;
you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
so that I may recount all your praises,
and, in the gates of daughter Zion,
rejoice in your deliverance.
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgement;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Selah
The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish for ever.
Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail;
let the nations be judged before you.
Put them in fear, O LORD;
let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly savor this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 9:9-20 (Psalms for Praying by Nan C. Merrill)
Love is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a foundation in difficult times.
And those who know Love’s Name
therein place their trust.
For You, O Beloved, are ever-present
to those who know You.
Sing praises to the One, who is Love,
who dwells in your heart!
Tell everyone of Love’s wonder-
filled deeds!
For those who know compassion
will remember those in need.
Be gracious to me, O Beloved!
Behold what I suffer out of fear,
O You, who awakened me from a living death,
I sing of your glory from the depths of my being,
I rejoice and give thanks for your faithful love.
The nations are sinking into a pit of their own making;
into the web which they are weaving, will they be caught.
Love will make Itself known
with a strength stronger than ten thousand armies!
The unloving will have to face themselves,
all nations that are unjust.
For the oppressed will be released,
And the hope of the poor will be realized.
Arise, O Love! Have your way with us;
let the nations bow before You and ask forgiveness!
Let your healing Light stream forth, O Love,
Let the nations commit themselves to your Plan!
