Original Psalm from Mark Glazener

¹O Lord, my abiding Shepherd, answer me when I call on you.

²From the depths of my distress, I cry out to you.

³Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

⁴From a young age, I have been taught that you are closer than a whisper, and yet I feel in this moment that you are further than a distant galaxy.

⁵I have poured out my heart to you time and time again, and now I am completely and utterly exhausted.

⁶My head and heart ache from my unending worry and anxiety.

⁷I am constantly tormented and taunted by the enemy who holds up my troubles and failures before me.

⁸How long will you let your servant suffer like this?

⁹I have given so much, and you have taken even more.

¹⁰How much longer before you give me relief from my losses?

¹¹I am surrounded by many on every side, and yet I feel so alone.

¹²When will you come to my rescue and make me feel whole again?

¹³And now, of all times, you place this person, this stranger before me.

¹⁴What can I offer when all I have and all that I am is used up?

¹⁵I am like an empty vessel that has been poured out and left in the scorching heat.

¹⁶What possible use can I be to this one in my presence?

¹⁷My words are empty and my thoughts are distracted.

¹⁸My strength and my will cannot stand under the weight that oppresses me.

¹⁹How can you choose me, my Lord, to speak and to care on your behalf?

²⁰And yet, despite my woes, I believe in your faithfulness, Lord.

²¹I trust in your everlasting goodness and providence.

²²Your knowledge and wisdom are endless; your might and strength are limitless.

²³You, my Rock and my Redeemer, hear when your servant speaks to you.

²⁴You are everywhere acting on behalf of the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit.

²⁵Know, my heart, that the Living One is here now and his ears are attending to you.

²⁶Stop struggling, soul, be at peace, and wait upon your Deliverer.

²⁷My God, bring your servant up from the pit of depression and show him your favor once again.

²⁸Uplift my soul and refresh my spirit by your astounding grace.

²⁹Be my strength, my shield, my comforter.

³⁰Set me back on the path of truth and righteousness, and let me experience the joy of your presence once again.

³¹Fill me with your holy wisdom and words of life that I may share them in all of their strength and beauty.

³²Turn my eyes from my own grief and pain outward that I may see this one’s.

³³Let your face be all I see when in the presence of this, your beloved child before me.

³⁴Use what little I have to bring for your almighty purposes.

³⁵From my wounds, create a balm of blessing and comfort for this stranger in my midst.

³⁶Lord, you are good and gracious in all things.

³⁷Your mercies are never-ending from age to age.

³⁸Your holy hand delivers those broken by the sin and sickness of this world.

³⁹You pour down endless love and compassion like the refreshing rains to quench our spirit’s thirst.

⁴⁰ There is no one like you and no one deserving of our unceasing worship.

⁴¹Join the petitions of my heart with the pleadings of my sibling in Christ. Accept the praise we bring before you, and hear our prayer.

Mark Glazener recently completed his first unit of CPE at Baylor Scott & White Hospital and McClane Children's Hospital in Temple, Texas. He can be reached at glazeners@bellsouth.net.