Psalm 143: David’s Outline of How to Pray When You Feel Distressed, Exhausted, or Overwhelmed

Do you feel like you’re struggling and walking through a season of such heaviness that you don’t know what to pray or even feel like you have the strength to pray?

David went through many seasons fleeing for his life where he felt so alone and crushed like God abandoned Him. He often wrote songs during these dark seasons as a way to lament, minister to his heart, wrestle with the Lord, and speak Truth to himself. Psalm 143 lays out a beautiful way we can bring our rawness to the Lord. When we feel we have nothing else to say or give – this psalm can be our words and outline to follow: Situation, Action, Remembrance, Request.

Situation/Struggle: David starts off with where he’s at – he names his situation. Can you relate his description?

“My life is crushed to the ground:

“My spirit is overwhelmed”

“My heart is appalled/desolate”

“I dwell in dark place”

Action: It’s so easy just to stop there and sit in the darkness, overwhelm, complaint, struggle. But, David moves into action - he talks to the Lord asking him to hear and answer his prayer. He stretches out his hands to the Lord which is a posture of surrender. He takes refuge in the Lord and cries out to the Lord.

Remembrance: David remembers how the Lord worked in his life and meditates/ponders and muses on those moments (going over a matter in your mind, rehearsing it inwardly or outwardly).

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on your accomplishments; I reflect on the work of your hands”

Requests: David closes the song/prayer with requests. He knows He can go to the Lord with his real emotions, questions, and struggle. He knows the Lord won’t be disappointed in Him with his requests and doubts. Instead of dwelling or ruminating on himself and looking inward, he directs his thoughts, posture and heart to the Lord. He trusts in the Lord and asks for His wisdom.

“Hear my prayer”

“Answer me quickly”

“Teach me the way I should walk”

“Deliver me from my enemies (what are the enemies you’re facing? What do you need deliverance from?)”

“Teach me Your will”

“Revive me”

“Bring me out of trouble”

“Let me hear of your lovingkindess and faithfulness in the morning"

The morning symbolizes a fresh start. David wants to begin each morning anchored in God’s compassion rather than fear (BibleRef.com)

The phrase “cause me to hear” implies and internal and spiritual reassurance. David is asking to sense God’s faithful hesed (unfailing, loyal, undeserved mercy) love deeply in his heart moving past silence, fear, and doubt. (SheReadsTruth.com).

Application:

How would you define your struggle or situation?

As you reflect back on your life, what are some ways you saw the Lord work and move?

What are some actions steps you need to take? What does surrendering to the Lord look like? What do you need to let go of or stop trying to control? What would being still and finding comfort and refuge in the Lord look like?

Do you feel your requests to the Lord? Why or why not?

What are some requests you can bring to the Lord?

What are some scriptures/Truth you can hold on to as an anchor during this difficult season?

Who is someone you can trust to pray for you during this difficult season?