Lament Exercise

Psalm 3: A Model Lament 

The Psalms help us to pray through our emotional struggles and to put confidence in God. Psalm 3 can be used as a template to guide your prayers in the challenges and conflicts you face. 

Read the psalm meditatively. Then use the prompts below to compose your own prayer.  

Scripture: Psalm 3 (NIV, NIV84) 

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. 

1 O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!  

2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah  

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head high. 

4 I cry out loud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah  

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.  

6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.  

7 Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth  

of the wicked.  

8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah  

© 2019 www.SoulShepherding.org

Prompts: Use Psalm 3 as a template to journal or pray quietly.

•          “A Psalm of (your name). When I…” Identify a situation in your life that is troubling you.

•          “O Lord, how many are my foes…” Describe your struggle or conflict:

•          “Many are saying of me…” Describe the criticisms that other people, Satan or your own internal critic are judging you with.

•          “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head high.” Picture the Spirit of Christ surrounding you to protect you.

•          “I cry out loud to the Lord, and he answers me…” Give thanks to God for the good and redemptive things he’s doing for in the spiritual reality of His Kingdom.

•          “I lie down and sleep… I will not fear… ” Pray to trust God for peace and protection.

•          “Arise, O Lord!… Strike all my enemies…” Tell God, the Righteous Judge and your Deliverer, your feelings of anger or hurt and what you want you want him to do.

•          “From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be upon…” Ask for God’s blessing for you, loved ones, and even the people troubling you.