Discover how the psalms invite us to dialogue with God with all of our emotions, and we will practice praying in ways that engage both our hearts and our minds.

Where: The Study (back library conference room)

Who: Katie Black

When: Bi-weekly on Friday at 2:30 p.m. (starting Jan 31)

Contact: Katie at katie@studycenter.net

Have you ever felt far from God? Have you ever felt like he’s hidden his face from you? Have you ever been tempted to cry out, “How long, oh Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)

You are not alone. The psalms give voice to our frustrations as the psalmists cry out to God in the midst of their trials and sufferings. The psalmists are not afraid to bring their whole selves before God–their fear and anger, as well as their joy, trust, and praise.

You might have heard that the Psalms were the prayer book of Israel. That these poems and songs were used in worship as God’s people sought to draw near to him. And this is true! Yet the psalms are also more than a prayer book. They’re words that were cherished by God’s people in exile and by those who returned to Jerusalem only to find a desolate city. The psalms were preserved, compiled, or written during years of displacement, tragedy, and loss. God’s people cried in sorrow before him, but they also sang songs of Zion, celebrating God’s reign as King. The very existence of the Psalter is an exercise in hope.

In this small group, we will discover how the psalms invite us to dialogue with God with all of our emotions, and we will practice praying in ways that engage both our hearts and our minds.