Remember Me

REMEMBER ME

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

I cry out to God; yes, I shout.

Oh, that God would listen to me!

When I was in deep trouble,

I searched for the Lord.

All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,

but my soul was not comforted.

I think of God, and I moan,

overwhelmed with longing for his help.

You don’t let me sleep.

I am too distressed even to pray!

I think of the good old days,

long since ended,

when my nights were filled with joyful songs.

I search my soul and ponder the difference now.

Has the Lord rejected me forever?

Will he never again be kind to me?

Is his unfailing love gone forever?

Have his promises permanently failed?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

And I said, “This is my fate;

the Most High has turned his hand against me.”

But then I recall all you have done, O LORD;

I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

They are constantly in my thoughts.

I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

O God, your ways are holy.

Is there any god as mighty as you?

You are the God of great wonders!

You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.

By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

When the Red Sea saw you, O God,

its waters looked and trembled!

The sea quaked to its very depths.

The clouds poured down rain;

the thunder rumbled in the sky.

Your arrows of lightning flashed.

Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;

the lightning lit up the world!

The earth trembled and shook.

Your road led through the sea,

your pathway through the mighty waters—

a pathway no one knew was there!

You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,

with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

When we are in the depths of despair and have experienced an unthinkable heartbreak, our minds can become scattered and overwhelmed with a desire to immediately fix the pain. We can feel unanchored and desperate. How do we find our way back to hope? How do we stay connected to God? The author of this psalm tells us the key: remember. How might our lives be shaped if in the midst of our lowest points we recall how God’s presence, provision, and power have showed up for us in the past?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Reflect on the last time you went through a valley and found yourself unanchored, desperate, or groaning. In what ways did God show himself to you?
• Who do you know who is in a valley right now? How can you bring God’s love and peace to them? How can you help that person remember the ways God walked with them through the last valley and know that he is faithful to do the same this time?

Lord, I have known despair and deep pain. I know what it is to groan in desperation for the hurt to be removed and to long for immediate healing. Yet I know your presence in the midst of these valleys. I remember the ways you have walked with me before. Use me to bring hope to someone today—someone who is in a valley and feels unanchored. Allow me to be your presence to a desperate, longing soul. Amen.