From time to time our prayer rhythm will be off. It can feel like you are stuck in mud. We all go through seasons of feeling stuck in the mud around our pray life.
I remember one time fishing with a friend. He took me down a stream, and as we walked, I got stuck in the mud on the side. He reached down to pull me out. In the same way the Holy Spirit will use the Psalms to help our prayer life become unstuck. Often if our prayer rhythm is off, we are not reading our bible.
Two ways the Psalms can help us become unstuck in our prayer life
1. Remind us about who God is.
It is said that the Psalms are about a person on a journey seeking God. In doing so, he reflects upon who God is. The Psalms force us to deal with who God is, even when we do not want to face that reality. The Psalms remind us of who God is and what he does. In return, this determines who we are and what we do.
2. Speak the Language
Really read the Psalm to God. Use the language and imageries of the Psalm in your life. Remember, the Psalms take place in a historical setting; be careful to not lose that perspective. However, The Psalms express seasons of loss, fear, struggle, and praising God. Allow them to guide you when you need to express such seasons.
Joni Eareckson Tada has some great teaching around this in the post “Speaking God’s Language: How Scripture Can Add Power to Your Prayers”
What does this look like? – Here is a example of speaking the Language from Psalm 27
” The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Prayer: Jesus you are my light and salvation. Because you are my light and salvation, I will not fear. You will light my path you are my identity. You are my stronghold in my life and I do not need to fear. Help me Jesus as I do have fear over ___________________( area of life, person). Holy Spirit let me draw upon you for strength and not look to ___________.
Another prayer resource: Where to turn in the Psalm.
What are the challenges in your prayer rhythms?