Memorizing prayer psalms
One of the tools I have found useful when in a period of intense stress is to concentrate on memorizing someone else’s prayer for my use. Stephen Mitchell’s Psalm translations are pure poetry, deeply emotional prayers that are better than anything I would come up with myself! I change the spalms to suit my purpose, leaving out things I don’t want and adjusting language for my personal use. The poetry is beautiful and although they were published in the bible, I find them more universal than Christianity.
I use memorization to challenge my mind to focus on something other than the current source of stress and I use recitation of the memorized prayers in the same way. This is one of my favorites. I haven’t used it in many months, so I need to commit it to memory again.
Even in the midst of great pain, Lord,
I praise you for that which is.
I will not refuse this grief
or close myself to this anguish.
I pray for whatever you send me,
and I ask to receive it as your gift.
You have put a joy in my heart
greater than all the world’s riches.
I lie down trusting the darkness,
for I know that even now you are here.