Day 10: Psalm 38 - Waiting for God

Take a moment to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Then open your eyes and slowly read and pray today's psalm in the image above.

Like many lament psalms, Psalm 38 describes several kinds of hardship at once: sin (1-4), physical suffering (5-10), abandonment by friends (11), and the challenge of enemies (12-16). Tell God about your suffering and how it is affecting you.

In the middle of it all, the psalmist declares his trust in God and his willingness to wait for God to act (15). Ask God to give you strength to wait for him and to keep looking for his action. Ask God to meet you in your waiting.

Verses 21-22 cry out for God to come quickly. Conclude your prayer by asking God to act on your behalf, then return to pray through the entire psalm.

Reflection Questions

Personal reflection:

Which kind of hardship in this psalm seems most relevant to your life right now: sin, physical suffering, abandonment by friends, or opposition from others? Or is it a combination?

Community discussion:

The psalmist says, "Lord, I wait for you" (15). What helps you keep waiting and looking for God's action during difficult times?