Sometimes, it’s difficult to pray honestly. Sometimes, I have a lot of feelings and no words, so I’ll start to pray and say something like, “Oh Lord, please…” or “Oh Lord, I know that…” and it starts to sound like a formula.
I’ve often heard that the Psalms are a useful tool for prayer. When you don’t know what to say, this book of personal poetry to God can lend you words to express.
But recently, in a moment where I needed to draw near to God but didn’t know how, He invited me to take it a step further. He encouraged me to re-write a Psalm in my own words. I ended up using a combination of both the Psalmist’s original words (some phrases were a perfect summation of my feelings) and my own words.
The result wasn’t radically different. I tried to stick to the original meaning, and I simply replaced some words with words I would actually use in a conversation. In fact, I probably made it less poetic. But re-writing parts of it with my own voice turned this Psalm into a personal talk with God, and I was finally able to pray from my heart!
So, the next time you find yourself at a loss for words, take a Psalm and work it into your own voice. It might help you be vulnerable when vulnerability with God feels difficult!
Psalm 25:1-7 (Original)
To you, Lord, I lift up my soul;
In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in your all day long.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
Psalm 25:1-7 (In my words)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I’m putting my trust in you, God. Please don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let the forces that conspire against me win.
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame. But those who are hostile without reason will be put to shame.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;
Guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, because it has been here since the beginning.
Please don’t remember my past sin and rebellion, but instead, according to your love, remember me. For you are good, O Lord.
