Psalms to Pray When You Feel Like Something is Missing

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If you feel like something is missing right now, you’re not alone.

I think most of us feel like we’re experiencing an unending cycle of missing out. We’re missing…

• time with loved ones.
• going to school.
• going to work and having a steady income.
• weddings, graduations, birthdays, and group celebrations.
• coffee and visiting with friends.
• going to church.
• getting haircuts.
• going to sporting events, movies, and concerts.
• going shopping for “non-essentials.”

And I’m guessing those are just the big ones on your list. You could probably fill a page or more of with your missing somethings. And if you asked your kids … well, you might be able to fill a book.

And yet…

I’ll bet you and your family can also think of some good things that have been added to your home in the past weeks. Maybe it’s not all bad that our busyness has been put on hold for a bit.

In an article from Ball State University’s Center for Peace and Conflict offering – COVID-19 Peace and Self-Care Strategies, there’s a quote I love…

In this time to rush to return to “normal,” use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.

It’s good advice, isn’t it?

Maybe, just maybe … it’s a blessing to be “missing” some of the things on our lists.

And when I stop to think about it, I realize it has a lot to do with where you and I put our focus. If we dwell on the things we can’t do at the moment and continually think about being shut-in … we can’t help but feel unsettled, disappointed, discouraged, anxious, and yes, even afraid.

So today, I’m asking God to help me focus on Him. I want to “fix my thoughts” on the blessings He continues to give me even when the list of things I’m missing is longer than I’d like or when something on my list is something or someone I feel like I can’t live without.

I’m turning to Psalms to pray and ask God to give me a perspective filled with His hope-filled truth.

Psalms to Pray When You Feel Like Something is Missing

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.

Psalm 91:14–15

Father, I do love you! Thank you for the many times you have rescued me in the past. Countless times You have been with me and protected me. And even more times of which I am not aware. Your Word repeats the truth of Your unfailing love. Love You pour into my life every day.

I’m coming to You, Lord, asking You to remind me of Your presence through this struggle. I’m asking You to rescue us from this time of illness and confusion. Please be with our leaders and give them wisdom and understanding. May they turn to You and trust You to guide them. Please be with me and give me peace and patience. And please give me wisdom to choose wisely when this is over and I can begin to add some of the missing things back into my life.

Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

Psalm 90:14

Father, I pray to simply be satisfied in You. Give me child-like faith to trust You in all things. Help me focus on who You are and all You’ve done. May I live with gratitude, peace, and joy trusting in Your all-sufficient grace to give me everything I need.

I have Jesus. I am forgiven. I have a future filled with hope.

I will bless the Lord who guides me;
    even at night, my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
    I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

You will show me the way of life,
    granting me the joy of Your presence and
the pleasures of living with You forever.

Psalm 16:7–8, 11

Father, It is so easy for me to make plans and then ask You to bless them. Please forgive me. Your Spirit is with me to guide and instruct me. Please help me to simply trust and follow … even when I don’t understand. Help me keep my heart and mind focused on You, trusting that in Your presence nothing can shake the foundation of my faith.

Thank you for Your Word. Help me take the time to “be still” with You because when I sit quietly at Your feet, I learn Your will for me, I know Your truth, I am reminded of Your unfailing love, and I feel Your presence. That Father, is a sweet taste of living with Your forever … fully satisfied and at peace.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything You do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.

Psalm 37:4–5

Father, I commit this time to You. Even though so many of the things that have become my normal and expected way of life have been temporarily removed … I trust You.

I’ve had things in this life I believed were my “heart’s desires.” And when You said “no” … my heart was crushed. I didn’t understand. I now know that You give me my heart’s desire when You are my heart’s desire. When I delight in You, I begin to want what You want and I trust Your perfect will for me.

By Your grace and with Your help, I commit my life to You. I believe when something is missing, even when it’s many somethings, You are with me. My circumstances are known to You. Everything about me is known to You. I believe You help me and that You always want what is best for me.

Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and never forget all the good He has done:
He is the One who forgives all your sins,
the One who heals all your diseases,
the One who rescues your life from the pit,
the One who crowns you with mercy
and compassion, the One who fills
your life with blessings

Psalm 103:2–5 (GW)

Father, please forgive me for focusing on the things I feel I’m missing. Please help me think about You. Help me focus on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Help me ponder things that are excellent and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)

By Your grace and the power of Your Spirit, I will faithfully thank and praise You. I will remember all the wonderful undeserved blessings You pour into my life. No matter how difficult my circumstances, no matter what I feel like I’m missing, I will remember Your unfailing unending love. I will praise You for forgiving me, healing me, pulling me out of the pit of despair and surrounding me with Your grace and mercy.

I will count my blessings and never forget the good things You do for me every day. Thank you, Father. Your grace is sufficient. Your love is enough. It is well with my soul. Amen.

The truth is I need the peace that only God is able to give me. I need a perspective that trusts His help for the impossible. I need hope that He is forever and always in full control.

It’s why I love going to the Psalms to pray … like those writers, you and I can take our honest feelings to God in prayer with faith.

And then, with His help, we can fully trust…

The Lord is King! He is robed in majesty.
    Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty
and armed with strength.
The world stands firm
and cannot be shaken.

Psalm 93:1

Whatever shakes us … does not shake Him. Our God is fully and capably reigning over all He has made. We can rest secure in His loving care and His perfect timing … even when we feel like something is missing.

This weekend is the 15th anniversary of a very painful loss in our family. A loss that not only changed our lives but one God used to begin a powerful change in me.

I’m looking forward to sharing with you how God used the “worst” to give me His “best.” How He personally blessed me with His all-sufficient grace.

Until next time…

God bless you!

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