Broken Hearted Prayer

BROKEN HEARTED PRAYER

PSALM 88:1-18

1A. THIS IS A TIME OF INTENSE PRAYER FOR HELP. 1-2, 9b, 13

2A. THIS IS A TIME OF DEATHLY DESPAIR.

1B. WE SOMETIMES IDENTIFY WITH THE DEAD. 3-5; 10-12

2B. WE SEE GOD AS THE CAUSE, BUT DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REASON. 88:6-7

3A. THIS IS A TIME OF EXTENDED ALIENATION.

1B. FRIENDS ARE ALIENATED. 8

2B. GOD HIMSELF SEEMS ALIENATED. 14-18

So, what is the point?

1. Unrelieved suffering may be your earthly lot.
2. Do not accept the current order as final.
3. The author, like Job, does not give up.
4. The author’s name helps us see that his rejection was only apparent.