Day 7: Psalm 22 - My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

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.

Psalm 22 opens with words of deep honesty: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (1). Jesus himself prayed these words on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). He enters into our suffering, even our feelings of being abandoned by God.

The psalmist moves back and forth between his significant challenges and complicated emotions, and reflections on God's faithfulness to his ancestors (4). Spend some time with verses 11 and 14, and see how it feels to pray them yourself.

The psalm begins with forsakenness but ends with the promise that God has done it (31). John tells us that Jesus' last words before his death were "It is finished" (John 19:30). How might praying this psalm in light of Jesus' cross and resurrection speak into your suffering? Slowly pray the selections from Psalm 22 again, and talk to God about whatever you are feeling.

Reflection Questions

Personal reflection:

If Jesus could pray "Why have you forsaken me?", will you allow yourself to be as honest with God when you feel isolated and hurting? How might that honesty bring you closer to God?

Community discussion:

What do you find harder to express to God: feelings of forsakenness, or confidence in future deliverance? Why do you think that is?