A Psalm 88 Prayer

"O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.

Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!

For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,

like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,

like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.

You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.

Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.

You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them.

I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow.

Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.

Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you?

Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?

Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.

Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.

They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.

You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness."

-Psalm 88 ESV-

O Lord, God of my Salvation, I cry out to you. Let my prayers be heard by you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul, Lord, is full of troubles. How my heart aches! My life seems to be going down into darkness. I feel like I belong with others who don't even know You. I am drained, Lord. Weaker than I have ever been. Have you forgotten me? Do you see me here, lying in the pit? Is this your plan?

I know my choices haven't been in accordance with You. I know this pit is where I belong and your wrath is what I deserve. But I am overwhelmed, Lord, my God. You have caused people I trusted to shun me. You have made me despicable to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eyes grow dim with sorrow. And so, every day I cry to you and will continue to cry out to you. In the morning I wake to offer my prayers to you.

Yes, I will continue to sit and wait even though it feels like you cast my soul away, and you hide your face from me. I am afflicted, Lord, and feel close to death without you. I am more and more aware of my helplessness and my need for you. No answer from you is your wrath sweeping over me and destroying me. How long, Lord? The walls are closing in. I'm being tormented by your silence. All that I have loved has become darkness. Yet, You are the God of my Salvation. I cry to You, and I will wait for your reply. Amen.