Welcome to the Prayers of Rest podcast.

I'm your host, Ashrida Chuchu, and this season we're praying for joy together.

So take a deep breath and quiet your heart as we become aware of God's loving presence around us and within us.

Today's passage comes from Psalm 13, verse 3.

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God, restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Let's begin by reciting God's goodness.

God, thank you that you never turn us away. That even in moments that feel dark and lonely, when it feels like we have nowhere else to turn

in our most desperate moments, God, thank you that you are there with us,

that you receive us, that you listen to our cries for help. As I think of David's words here,

thank you that there is no prayer too dramatic or too far-fetched, that it feels too much to you.

I thank you that you welcome us to bring our honest expression of exactly where we are, that we don't have to mask our sadness or despair,

that we don't have to somehow make ourselves presentable to you, because in Jesus, you receive us.

And God, thank you for leaving the testimony of this prayer, of David's desperate cry for help so that we might know

that you hear our cries as well. In those dark seasons and those dark valleys where we feel

like we are so desperate for you to move that if you don't,

it really feels like we might just die.

God, thank you that you are even there with us,

that the good shepherd never leaves our side,

and that you indeed bend close to us.

So take a moment now to praise God for his nearness even in those dark valleys, whatever

those look like in your life.

Picture what it looks like for your good shepherd to be walking with you and praise him for that.

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