His Hand is Upon Me...

I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.  I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.  I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.--Psalm 142


Lord,

I cry out to you with my voice.  I make my supplication to You.  Hear me, Father.  I am seeking You, my God, in my trouble.  Listen to my complaint...hear my heart.  My circumstances overwhelm me and grief has filled my heart.  You are my refuge.  So often I forget You during the day and go in my own will and strength.  Forgive me!  Only please, hear my heart that wants to do Your will always.  Hear my heart, Father, that always wants Your presence.  Father, help me by your Spirit to understand what to pray for.  Help me by your Spirit to give up my will and desire Yours.

My heart is so often overwhelmed....but you know my path.  You know my sitting down and my rising up.  You understand my thoughts afar off and are acquainted with all my ways. There is not a word on my tongue that You do not know.  You hedge me behind and before and have laid your hand upon me.  Guide me always.

Father, knowing that you know the way I take...that You go before me...fills me with such comfort.  You not only hedge me behind and before, but You lay your hand upon me.  You keep me safe.  You, the eternal God, are my refuge and underneath are Your everlasting arms.  There is no where I can go from Your presence.  Direct my path and guide my steps...smooth my way  and keep me from the snares of the enemy.

My flesh and my heart fails, Father, but You are the strength of my heart and my my portion here and forever.  My hope is in You.  Attend to my cry for I am in need.  Encompass me about with those who love Your name.  My boast is in You, my God, for You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from falling.  I sought You and You heard me....You will deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 142 - A Prayer to my God

I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
         With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
         I declare before Him my trouble. 


Lord, I cry out to You with my voice. It is a relief to hear my voice crying out to You, my God.  I know now that I have come to the right place.  I know now, as I hear my own voice crying out to You that you will hear me and deliver me.  I am not going anywhere else with my problem...I am going straight to You.  You are my Father and I am bringing my heart full of care and troubles and turning it upside down before You.  I am holding nothing back.  


When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
         Then You knew my path.
         In the way in which I walk
          


Lord, I feel covered in clouds and fog and can't see my way past them.  I can't think!  I feel pulled in every direction.  Father, I have no peace!  I cannot even see my own feet no less the path I should take.  


Here is what I know, Father.  Despite my confusion, despite my anxiety, despite my crushed spirit...I can take comfort and solace in the fact that You know it all.  Lord, I know when I feel as if I am drowning in trouble and anxiety and have lost my ability to reason...You NEVER do.  When things are too much for me and I am overwhelmed then You carry me...you know the way I need to take.  You will not fail to help one who is trusting in You.  What a relief to know that I can just take your hand and let you lead.  


They have secretly set a snare for me.
Look on my right hand and see,
         For there is no one who acknowledges me;
         Refuge has failed me;
         No one cares for my soul.


But look they have set snares for me secretly...look on my right all have deserted me...no one cares for me, Father.  I have no refuge My "friends" have abandoned me.  Lord, it is easier to feel the enmity of a foe than the desertion of a friend.  Again, Lord, I am so grateful that you never lose your head, you never close your eyes and your mind which is eternal in the heavens is always clear.  You warn me and keep me from the snares they have laid for me in the way.  I am so glad that nothing is hidden from You. 


I cried out to You, O LORD:
         I said, “You are my refuge,
         My portion in the land of the living.
Attend to my cry,
         For I am brought very low;
         Deliver me from my persecutors,
         For they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison,
         That I may praise Your name;
         The righteous shall surround me,
         For You shall deal bountifully with me.”


So I cried out to You and said that You are my refuge.  You are my portion in this world.  Lord, I do not need anyone or anything but You.  In You, I have it all.  Help me, deliver me....I am brought very low and my enemies are stronger than me.  Help me Father and have mercy on me for I am weak.  Break my bonds and free me...set me free to do your will....then I can praise You.  Then others can see this miracle you have done...this miracle you have wrought in my heart.  


I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me,  And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay,  And set my feet upon a rock,  And established my steps.He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;  Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD. --Psalm 40:1-3