When Seizures Might Be A Blessing

I am increasingly coming to the view that reading the Psalms as part of a reading plan isn’t enough. 

Now, straightaway I must point out that whilst a reading plan is my preferred option it isn’t to everyone’s liking. There is no Biblical command to read the Bible in one year, two years, or three years. This isn’t the place to argue that point. Although if you disagree you’re wrong! Only kidding.

My point is that throughout history the Church has engaged with the Psalter to a far greater extent than many do today. The well known Bonhoeffer quote resonates with me so much

“Whenever the Psalter is abandoned, an incomparable treasure is lost to the Christian church. With its recovery will come unexpected power.”

Quite what he meant by unexpected power is unclear and I wouldn’t begin to guess. I confess I’m not aware of it in my life or in my Church but I still like the quote, especially the first line.

Nevertheless, I remain convinced that the majority of Churches in the West haven’t got this right. I think we need to read them, pray them and of course sing them in our services and in private. Why there is so much push back over this last one, baffles me, especially when God’s people have been singing them for three thousand years! Maybe one day.

But I want to share a bit more of my personal journey. In a previous post I mentioned how I would read and pray them every month, five a day. And it was a tremendous blessing..

However, a while back I came across a simple plan to read it through in a week. I’ve been doing this for about 18 months now and it has again been such a blessing. I was diagnosed during the pandemic with epilepsy and whether it’s the medication or something weird in my brain I’ve found reading and many other things have become so much harder. For example, I’ve many books that I would love to reread but it’s such a nightmare keeping focussed to take it in and finish the book. And don’t get me started on sermon prep!

But reading the Psalms fifty times a year alongside my reading plan, doesn’t seem to be a problem. Okay, as with all Bible reading some days are better than others but focusing on these ancient poems seems easier than focusing on a theological book.

And I think it’s changing me, although I'm probably not the best judge!

At the moment I can only think of two ways. The obvious way is that it is changing my praying. I’m finding it’s becoming more natural to use the language of the Psalms. David’s words are increasingly familiar so it seems natural to use them. Having said that, I'm still such an amateur!

I’ve noticed my epilepsy has made it harder to focus on praying. It was never brilliant, but is now so much harder, so being more familiar with the Psalms has given me ammunition and helped me to shape my prayers. 

And the other area is becoming more familiar with the emotion of the Psalms has allowed me to be more emotional in my praying. As a young man I never got emotion! But as the years go by I have become much more emotional and I think It has helped my response to the trials of life, to pray like David prayed.

So I am beginning to understand that Bonhoeffer quote, I’m beginning to understand why this Psalter is such a treasure. Of course I’ve not yet worked out the power part. I’ll leave that with the Lord.

I'd rather not have this epilepsy but I think this love of the Psalter might be a weird result of it and a blessing!