Desperate & Embarrassingly Dramatic Prayers
Psalm 28:1-2
To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.
—Psalm 28:1-2
No one wants to be labeled as dramatic, do they? Most of us go to great lengths to pull it together so we don’t do or say something embarrassing that people will know about. While this is probably a good thing for our friends on Facebook, it’s a terrible strategy with God.
He wants all of our desperation and seemingly dramatic prayers.
Who knows what’s happening with David in Psalm 28. He was a warrior, often in battle, and had Saul chasing after him most days prior to Saul’s passing. He would hide deep in caves while the men who surrounded him sought to protect his life.
A Psalm like Psalm 28 was likely not written in the private spaces in his home—it was likely belted in the depths of a cave. Battle-tested and hardened warriors hearing every word. Every tear. Every lament.
Who knows what they thought of David’s tears? Did David care? Did David feel insecure? Who knows.
Despite what was happening internally for David, he proceeded. He lifted his cries, and the Lord heard him (Psalm 28:6).
I’m afraid that when we work hard to pull it together before coming to God we’re missing out on the true work He wants to do in us and around us. We’re doing nothing but setting ourselves up to miss His provision.
Let’s follow David’s lead.
(And Jesus’s)
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
—Hebrews 5:7
Reflection/Discussion Questions
When you approach God, do you feel like you have to pull it together, or do you feel free to be your full (sometimes embarrassing) self? Self-reflect and give thought to why you answer the way you answer.
Read all of Psalm 28. How do the promises toward the end of the chapter help you feel the freedom to pray the way David does at the beginning of the chapter?
Does learning about Jesus’s prayer life in Hebrews 5:7 confuse you about Him? Or does it bring you comfort? Why?
Are there any situations in your life that might require you to pray this way right now? If so, take time to journal a very honest prayer or find a prayer closet that allows you the freedom to pray desperate and embarrassingly dramatic prayers.
—Brandon
