Prayer Guide: Psalm 13

By Daniel Henderson

Psalm 13 (ESV) 

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.

 

REVERENCE

God’s praiseworthy attributes found in this text:

  • He listens to our questions and groanings – vv. 1-2
  • Even when we doubt, he does not:
    • Forget us – v. 1a
    • Hide his face from us – v. 1b
    • Leave us to our own counsels – v. 2a
    • Leave us in our sorrow – v. 2b
    • Allow our enemies to triumph over us – v. 2c
  • He considers and answers us – v. 3a
  • He enlightens and enlivens us – v. 3b
  • He fights for us – v. 4
  • He is a God of steadfast love – v. 5a
  • His salvation brings joy – v. 5b
  • He is worthy of our song – v. 6a
  • He is bountiful/good to us – v. 6b

Possible prayer prompts:

  • Thank you Lord that you have considered and answered me when I had questions about . . .
  • Thank you that I can trust in your steadfast love, even when . . .
  • I rejoice because you have saved me from . . .
  • I sing to you because you showed me your goodness when . . .

RESPONSE

  • Lord, I confess that my heart asks “How Long?” when I think about ____________________. Give me a deeper trust in you.

REQUESTS

  • Lord, today I need your light and your life as I deal with . . .
  • Help me trust in your steadfast love as I struggle with . . .
  • Give me your joy today even though . . .
  • Show your goodness to me today as I . . .
  • I pray for ____________________ (name) as they struggle with their questions. Reveal yourself to them.
  • Give your light and life to ________________________ (name) as they deal with . . .
  • Show your steadfast love to ____________________________ (name) in the midst of . . .
  • I pray that __________________________ (name) will know the joy of your salvation as I seek to share the gospel with them.

READINESS

  • God will consider and answer us when the enemy seeks to __________________________.
    • Antiphonal response: “We will not be shaken!”