Prayers from the Pit

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

Psalm 40:1-2 (NLT)

Pits are deep. Pits are dark. Pits are a very lonely place to be.

Joseph was thrown into a pit because he prophesied (Genesis 37:24). Daniel was tossed into the lion pit because he prayed (Daniel 6:16). Jeremiah was lowered into a pit because he preached (Jeremiah 37:6). Jonah was sucked into a pit (Jonah 2:6) because he pouted.

Joseph’s soul was in anguish while he lingered in the pit (Genesis 42:21). He pleaded for rescue, but his calls went unanswered – by his brothers that is. But not by God. Ultimately, Joseph was rescued from the pit. Because the pit was not his destiny.

Neither is yours. Your pit may be of your own doing. Perhaps you’ve made some wrong choices or developed destructive habits that have dragged you down into the darkest, deepest depths. You can’t see a way out.

Maybe your pit is the consequence of erroneous beliefs. You’ve succumbed to the devil’s lies and you’re convinced you’re better off alone, where no one can hurt you.

Perhaps your pit was set by others and you fell right into it because of circumstances or unhealthy relationships. More than once you’ve heard that God works all things for our good yet wonder what ‘good’ could ever come from this mire.

Note that each one of these men of faith found purpose in their pit. Though, from their perspective, their life was falling apart, God’s plan was falling into place. David’s pit became his testimony (verses 3, 9). Joseph’s pit led to the salvation of thousands. Daniel’s pit provoked a nationwide fear of the true God. Jonah’s pit produced repentance.

You might not understand the reason for your pit, but you can fill your waiting place with purpose.

1. Use your pit to practice patience – “I waited patiently for the LORD” (vs 1a). Though the process be difficult and discouraging, don’t rush God’s timing. Times of waiting develop trust and endurance. Choose to wait with expectation.

2. Use your pit to pray (vs 1b). It’s not easy to pray when you’re surrounded by darkness. Sometimes all you can do is cry out, “Lord, I need you.” For now, that’s all you need to say.

3. Use your pit to praise (vs3). I don’t know about you, but praise is not my natural go-to when life gets messy. Yet it’s precisely in those moments that I have to choose what will fill my head space; fear or faith, panic or praise. Praise alters your perspective, lifting your focus off your situation and onto the trustworthiness of God.

There is no greater testimony than a heart that can praise God through the pain. So don’t give up, my friend. Fill your wait with praise.

Keep your eyes lifted upward.

Help is on the way.