A Prayer in Pain

Psalm 102 is a cry to the Lord from someone who is in pain; someone who is afflicted and suffering. This is a description, somewhat metaphorically I presume, of how the writer feels: “For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned like a hearth. 4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat my bread. 5  Because of the sound of my groaning My bones cling to my skin.” That’s a description of someone who is in pain. The interesting thing about this psalm is that the writer doesn’t blame God. Rather, the writer realizes that God is still on His throne. God is still the God of creation. God is still the God who will regard the prayer of the poor and will not despise this prayer. Though in pain, the writer acknowledges the love and power of God. This is a good prayer to pray when in pain. Where else do we have to go but to the mercy of God when we suffer? Going to Him is the best way to find relief; even if physical relief does not come. I’m impressed by the faith of the writer as he continues to trust and lean on God.