An Honest Prayer

By Jordan Stone

You do not have to spend a great deal of time in the book of Psalm to notice that the Psalms of David are incredibly schizophrenic in nature. One minute he is in anguish and the next minute he seems to be writing a joyful chorus. For example, take Psalm 13:

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

For four verses David bares his soul before the Lord. He is upset. He is broken. He is questioning. But, he does not lose sight of God's providential blessing for he still will rejoice and sing to the Lord. May our prayers be example of such honesty and understanding that even in the hard time God is still good.