How We Should Bring our Complaints to God

—Psalms 54 & 142

  • Andrew & Anne Fountain – Feb 16, 2025

 
 
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Goal:

To let God teach us
how he wants us to bring complaints to him.

Plan for today

  1. Anne will talk about Psalm 54
  2. Andrew will do the same with Psalm 142
  3. What we can learn about prayer
  4. End by praying in this way

Psalm 54

  Link to Psalm 54

Psalm 142

  Link to Psalm 142

Complaints in the Psalms

  1. Aaargh! – cry out to God
  2. Because… – the problem
  3. Confidence – statement of trust
  4. Do… – the actual prayer: please God do this…
  5. End with thanks & praise

Andrew’s Complaint

Aaargh! – Oh God, I am so frustrated!

Because – The place that I went to for help with tax last year made such a mess that it might take me months to untangle.
And I don’t have the time for this kind of thing
And it is such an unproductive and useless waste of time.

Confidence – But all my time is in your hands, and I am your servant. You are sovereign over everything

Do – Please God may this tax mess get sorted out really quickly so I can use my time doing what you’ve called me to do.

End with – I know you care about me and this issue.
I will praise you and give thanks, because you are good and have heard me!

Anne’s complaint

Aaargh! – Lord, I’m coming to you because I am so fed up with these migraines

Because – The migraine days, sometimes it’s a week, just feel wasted. I’m so sick I’m completely out of action.

Confidence – But you can bring good out of bad

Do – Rescue me from this recurring problem and bring healing

End with —I know I am yours and you love me, so I will praise you!

Plan for today

  1. Anne will talk about Psalm 54
  2. Andrew will do the same with Psalm 142
  3. What we can learn about prayer
  4. End by praying in this way

Complaints in the Psalms

  1. Aaargh! – cry out to God
  2. Because… – the problem
  3. Confidence – statement of trust
  4. Do… – the actual prayer: please God do this…
  5. End with thanks & praise

Closing prayer

  1. Lord, many of us are feeling desperate right now
  2. We desperately need:
    open doors & clear direction in our lives,
    relationship,
    and healing
  3. But we know all these things are in your hands and you truly love us
  4. So please lead us into:
    stable lives,
    committed relationship,
    and health—both mental & physical
  5. And we will sing your praises dear Lord, for you will never abandon us!