Praying Through: Psalm 22:12-18

The Psalm

Psalm 22:12–18 (CSB)
¹² Many bulls surround me; strong ones of Bashan encircle me.

¹³ They open their mouths against me— lions, mauling and roaring.

¹⁴ I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting within me.

¹⁵ My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.

¹⁶ For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.

¹⁷ I can count all my bones; people look and stare at me.

¹⁸ They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.

The Prayer

My enemies are on all sides

• and their attacks are relentless,
• you are my protector.

When lions clamp down on my guts,

• you are the teeth-breaker and my healer.

When I am buried,

• you call me out of the ground.

When I was dead in my sins,

• you lived, died, and rose alive
• so that I might live.

You have never left me.

You have always been with me

• even when I did not know nor loved you.

You have always been there.

And I will forever worship you, my God.