I’m reading a book merely entitled “Prophets.” It’s one of those books that I need to wade through slowly, but it’s giving me a sense of the deep passion of the Biblical prophets. The author’s premise is that the prophets speak God’s heart, His emotion. The prophet becomes a voice that God uses to express Himself.
But just as a prophet gives words to the deep emotions of God, I think the Psalms give us words to speak with God. The deep groanings of David, along with the ecstasy of praise, model relational prayer. God already knows our heart but communicating it builds relationship. There are times when we can be so overwhelmed with emotion that its difficult to find the right words, but we can at least speak back His own words to Him.
Praying through the Psalms, or other scripture, is a great adventure in expressing yourself to God. Try being specific as you offer up each line.
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day? Psalm 13:2
As you pray this, then actually talk to God about your sorrow. Tell Him what it is and why it makes you sad, even expressing your frustration. He wants to hear from us.
In this same psalm we find the pendulum swing of emotion:
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6
Tell Him thank you for specific things that have blessed you – maybe even sing Him a song!
We have a great God who loves us and wants relationship with us. He opens His heart to us and desires us to express our heart back to Him.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:4
