March 9 Daily Rhythm

Morning
Psalm 88:1-7  

O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.

Father, thank you that you give us language in your word for crying out to you with our need. All of us that live here under the sun struggle in seasons of spiritual drought. You do not abandon us to this, you know this is our reality and you honor it in the prayers and songs of your people. Help us to turn to you in our struggles.

Afternoon
Psalm 88:8-12  

You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

God, you are good. Even when life feels dark and lonely, you are good. You are light enough for us when all other lights go out. You are faithful to us. Thank you.

Evening
Psalm 88:13-18

But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

Father God, there is no greater loneliness than to feel your absence. There is no greater darkness than life without you. We cry to you because you are faithful. We call to you tonight because we know you are good, we ask you to be real to us and make your presence known in our loneliness and your light in our darkest hours.