Dis-ease, distress and unrest abound in our country, in the world, and in biblical times too. Here’s how King David prayed in such a time as this:
Psalm 69:13-21, 29-30 – a prayer of David
from the King
James Version of the Bible
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee,
O Lord,
in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude
of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy
salvation.
Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink:
let me be delivered from them that hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither
let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit
shut her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is
good:
turn unto me according to the multitude of thy
tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I
am in trouble: hear me speedily.
Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it:
deliver me because of mine enemies.
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame,
and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all
before thee.
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am
full of heaviness: and I looked for some
to take pity, but there was none; and
for comforters, but I found none.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and
in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
But I am poor and sorrowful:
let thy salvation,
O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God
with a song, and will magnify him
with thanksgiving.
From the Book of
KJVPrayers - actual prayers from KJV (King James Version of
the Bible) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019
Psalm 69:13-21, 29-30 – a prayer of David
paraphrased into contemporary English
I keep on praying to You, Lord,
hoping You will show me favor.
In Your consistent love, O God,
answer my prayer with the truth
of Your salvation.
Rescue me from this mire!
Don’t let me sink any lower!
Save me from those who wish me ill
and pull me from deep waters.
Don’t let anything overwhelm me
or bottomless waters swallow me
or death traps devour me!
Answer my prayers, O Lord,
for Your wonderful love does not fail.
Let Your abundant mercy care for me.
Don’t hide from me! Hurry
and answer me, for I am in trouble.
Come and redeem me. Free me
from whoever is against me.
You know I’ve been insulted,
humiliated, and disgraced,
for You see what’s been brought
against me. Such insults break
my heart, and I am in despair.
If only One would show pity!
If only One would turn and comfort me.
But they give me gall and, for my thirst,
sour wine to drink.
O God, I am suffering and in pain!
Rescue me by Your saving power.
Then I will praise Your Name with songs.
I will honor You by giving my thanks.
From the Book of Bible
Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations
and paraphrased into everyday English by MaryHarwell Sayler, ©2019
Lord God, Heavenly Father of us all, give us Your
prayers to pray for ourselves, one another, and the world in the power of Jesus’
Name.
…