For courage when you thought things would be different by now

This week we’ve been learning about lament. Here is a lament psalm, sometimes called a poem. Or just a really honest prayer.

For courage when you thought things would be different by now

- Kate Bowler (@katebowler)

God, I thought I would feel different by now, 

but new pressures just keep mounting. 

I have been struggling for too long

to meet each new challenge, 

to scrape up resources, 

to find small comforts, 

to change strategies, 

to dig deep into our reserves,

to stay positive,

but I need relief 

and fresh hope

and a minute to just say,

I really wish things were easier.

“We do not know what to do,

but our eyes are on you.”

            —2 Chronicles 20:12

Just when we thought we could almost be done with this,

another shoe drops. There are no finish lines. 

We long for the simple joys of times past,

those everyday pleasures we can barely remember, but still hunger for.

A great night’s sleep. 

Less financial stress. 

The ease of making future plans. 

The wish that our faith would give us an exemption 

from all that is too painful. 

Blessed are we who look to you, God,

in the midst of troubles that are too great for us, 

that have gone on far too long.

Who dare to say, 

now would be a good time for help to come,

for this to be over, once and for all.

God, send us help.

Bring solutions for the desperate, 

protection for the vulnerable, 

comfort for the suffering, 

strength to the caregivers, 

wisdom to those in charge. 

Infuse us with the courage to suffer with hope. 

That our suffering doesn’t go unnoticed by you. 

Sustain us and orient us to the reality in which we now live.

Help us pace ourselves. Keep us awake

to what might be done, right now.

“I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

—Isaiah 41:10