ADORATION (v. 1-8)

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;  there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6 I am bowed down and brought very low;  all day long I go about mourning.7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

O My King, return to us, your absence is prolonged, and I cannot bare it no longer. Let our old eyes see Your return in all your glory and majesty. O My King, the land is polluted with shameful deeds, greed, and power that has brought Your wrath and judgements upon our lands. There is none who seeks after you, not even myself! “My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness.” We’re feeble and crushed, and I groan because of the tumult of my heart.” But You, My King, see me and lead me to the better ground.

“My deepest fear is waking up twenty years form now still the same woman I am today. With the same annoying habits and petty attitudes; with the same besetting sins and false beliefs. I can’t imagine anything more terrible than getting to the end of my life only to discover that God had so much more in mind for me-more freedom, more joy, more peace, more true effectiveness. And I had missed it, simply because I refuse to change. So I press on, and I hope you will too. Believe me, dear sister, we can trust God. If we allow the spotlight of heaven to shine on the dark recesses of our souls, god will scrub off the old layers of whitewash. He’ll remove those pockets of Martha drivenness and Pharisee pride. By the power of HIs Holy Spirit, He will transform us form glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Until one day, to our surprise, we’ll wake up and realize that we look just like…Jesus!” ~ Joanna Weaver

CONFESSION (v. 9-16)

9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away.12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; 14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. 15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.

“O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.” My heart throbs, my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes also has gone from me.” Sweet Jesus, my life can only be perfected through You. I’m lost in thoughts, if not in prayer. You called upon me to trust You, and I shall do so with my prayers. You answered many of my most profound ones, and I felt unworthy. My God, you show your steadfast love toward your servant, even when I asked for the impossible. You gave it to me with such passion I knew without a doubt it was of God.

I need to trust your timing, righteousness, and judgment. Without them, there is no justice or restoration of our souls. “But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” Only then will I rejoice for those who boast against us?

THANKSGIVING (v.17-21)

17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. 18 I confess my iniquity;  I am troubled by my sin.19 Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. 20 Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.21 Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.

O Father, thank you for restoring our love and renewing our respect for each other. Your steadfast love guided my heart, and your reward was sublime. No doubt in my heart, you’ve heard my cries and my need to be loved by my husband. Keep us together by your grace. Let us not see pridefulness that will lead us apart.

RESOURCES

• BibleGateway.com
• Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver.