DESPERATE PRAYER

MAY 22

Psalm 102

Psalm 102:6, “I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places.”

Most owl species live and hunt alone, especially outside the breeding season. They are nocturnal, elusive creatures that prefer remote, undisturbed habitats. The psalmist draws on this imagery—“like an owl in the wilderness” (Psalm 102:6)—to reflect his deep sense of isolation. He feels utterly alone, as though abandoned in a barren and lifeless place. His suffering is so profound that he not only feels cut off from others, but also forsaken by God.

The psalmist vividly portrays his anguish through powerful metaphors and emotional language. Physically, he feels weak and consumed, describing his bones burning and his body wasting away (Psalm 102:3–5). He faces relentless opposition (v.8), is overwhelmed by grief (v.9), and feels discarded by God, as if thrown aside in divine anger (v.10). He is also acutely aware of his frailty and the fleeting nature of life, comparing his days to a fading evening shadow (v.11).

Yet even in the depths of his despair, the psalmist finds reason for hope. He cries out to God not only because of his pain, but because he knows the character of the One to whom he prays. Though he is frail and mortal, God is the eternal, enthroned Creator of the heavens and the earth (v.12, 25). Though he feels abandoned, he remembers how God has heard the cries of His people in the past and acted to set them free so they might worship and serve Him (v.18–22).

No matter how desperate your situation may seem, what was true for the psalmist remains true today. The Creator of the heavens and the earth hears when we cry out to Him. The God who saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus still has the power to intervene in our lives for good. There may be times when you feel like an “owl of the waste places,” utterly alone in a hopeless region of life—but there is no situation too desolate for God to enter. In every season of suffering, we can still echo the psalmist’s plea: “Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!” (Psalm 102:1).

“In times of pain, when it feels as though the whole world is closing in, remember, prayer can be your refuge, your strength, and your shield.” — Corrie ten Boom

Application Questions: In times of deep suffering or feeling abandoned, how can you shift your focus from your circumstances to the character and faithfulness of God, as the psalmist did in Psalm 102? When facing moments of intense loneliness, how important is it for you to draw near to God in prayer, trusting in His ability to redeem your situation?

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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