When in pain, we often curl up. Shut others out. Protect ourselves. Needing time to think or feel or rest. Isolating too long however works against us. We cease to cry out. We cease to connect.
The writer of this psalm laments, words reaching out of isolation.
“Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you…” Psalm 86: 6-7a (NIV)
We can practice reaching out. Even if we do not want to now. We can prepare for the time when isolation becomes harmful. Like the psalmist we can cry out to God or others in our suffering. With a loud voice. With shaking hands or clenched fists. Asking God or the universe to hear our cries. Witness our distress. Answer our calls.
Today, use your own words or the prayer below.
God, I call you. Hear me.
God, I call you. See me.
God, I call you. Listen to me.
God, I call you. Give mercy to my distress,
My cries,
My prayers.
God, I call you.
Amen.
Image by Satyaban Sahoo from Pixabay
Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez 