"The Thirsty Deer" (Part 8)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:5-8 NIV).

So far I’ve done a lot with Psalm 42 to encourage you. Today I’d like to be a little more practical and look at some of the things that can be done. The Psalmist has a secret. It’s not as earth shattering as you and I might think it is. The secret is not found in a self-help book or in the horoscope. You won’t find it on Oprah, Dr. Phil, or Dr. Oz! Most people think it sounds a little too easy. The Psalmist’s secret to overcoming hopelessness is an active prayer life.

Look at the emphasized verse in our reading today: By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life. There it is. He came to understand that constant communication with the Father kept him from slipping into extended periods when he couldn’t seem to manage. So here are some “principles” of the continuous practice of prayer:

 First, learn to pray conversationally. Just like you might chat with a friend or loved one, chat with God through the day. It may be no more than a phrase or two. The important thing is to train your mind to recognize that He is always there. You are never alone.

 Second, practice “His song.” That’s not listening to Christian music, though there’s nothing wrong with that at all. I encourage you to listen to praise and worship music as often as possible through the day. However, this is the act of worship. It is practicing gratitude with God. Concentrate on the little things that happen, or even don’t happen each day, and thank Him.

 Third, put yourself in the way of receiving God’s love. This is a horizontal, you and others, experience. We give and receive God’s love when we interact with others in a godly way. This is a little tougher than the others. It requires that we both give and receive love. I’m pretty good at giving. Sometimes I’m not very good at receiving. Get good at receiving. It brings a blessing to you and those who give!

 Last, recognize that no storm of life is forever. Your “forever” has been secured by Christ and it is going to be perfect in every way.

We’ll see more of the Psalmist’s declaration tomorrow. Today, would you begin to form these habits in your life? It will make a difference. God guarantees it!