Psalm 13

Tuesdays are important corporate days of Prayer and Fasting for the Kansas City Underground alongside our friends throughout the world. As we finish the first half of 2023, we invite everyone to focus on a Psalm on the first Tuesday of each month. On this special Tuesday when many in the U.S. are celebrating independence, we turn to a Psalm of desperate dependence with our sisters and brothers in Jesus’ global Church around the world. In the moments of deep questions that linger, we seek to learn how to sing with Psalm 13’s finale words similar to Urban Doxology’s “Declaration of Dependence”: “We’re gonna fall unless we’re holding to Your hands. ... We’ll let You be the One who heals our every ache. Not gonna take a step unless You lead the way.”

This week, we engage with Psalm 13 as we humbly and boldly approach God’s throne of grace, asking Him the questions that stir in us in the darkness even as we long for the Light of the world to save us.

Theme: You Are Free to Ask Questions & Depend on the One Who Answers You & Ultimately Saves You

Today’s scriptures: Psalm 13, NIV & The Message (MSG)

Read: Psalm 13:1-2

NIV: How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

MSG: Long enough, God—You’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of Your head long enough. Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me.

Reflect:

What have you been waiting on God to do? Have you wrestled with Him in the night? Reach for Him.

Pray:

Release your fears, sorrows, and anger to the LORD. He’s ready to meet you where you are. Ask your questions.

Read: Psalm 13:3-4

NIV: Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

MSG: Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.

Reflect:

Have you asked God to look at you this week? He’s an attentive God. Give Him your attention. Cry out.

Pray:

Pray for God to counter enemies trying to overcome you. Pray He would give you sight to see Him at work.

Read: Psalm 13:5-6

NIV: But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for He has been good to me.

MSG: I’ve thrown myself headlong into Your arms—I’m celebrating Your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.

Reflect:

What is God inviting you to trust Him with? How has He already been good to you? Sing His praise.

Closing Praise:

Listen to “How Long?” by Sojourn Worship. Be stirred by the cries of the heart:

“My Protector, my Shelter, hurry to me! Remember your pledge! Shine your grace on this darkness within! I will praise You with every breath! ... Would my tempter pursue me if he knew You were near? Would he boast of his power if he felt Your hand?“

Finish this time with God by boasting in your weakness and boasting in His power to ultimately bring salvation to you today and forever. He has not let you go. You are His. He is yours. He has been good to you. Discover afresh today how He is Your Protector and Shelter with arms wide to receive you and shield you.