52. Does God Feel Far Away?

What do you do when you feel completely forsaken?

In this reflection on Psalm 22, John Ortberg explores one of the most haunting prayers in all of Scripture:

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"

These are not only the words of the psalmist—they are the words Jesus prayed from the cross.

John explores the unique pain of abandonment, the difference between explanation and healing, and the remarkable hope hidden in one tiny word that many of us overlook:

"My."

This episode explores:
- Psalm 22 and the experience of forsakenness
- Why abandonment wounds so deeply
- Jesus' cry from the cross
- The man with the withered hand
- The difference between explanation and healing
- The hope found in belonging to God even in our darkest moments

Scriptures:
- Psalm 22
- Matthew 27
- Mark 15
- Mark 3
- Isaiah 53

#Psalm22 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Jesus #Cross #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Hope #Suffering


📚 Today's Resources:
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT us at 51504
EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com

GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504
SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team
DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides

😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/
🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/

Music Credits:
Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE
Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

00:00 The Deepest Prayer in Scripture
 00:36 Psalm 22 Begins
 01:21 What It Means to Be Forsaken
 02:09 Why Forsakenness Hurts So Deeply
 03:07 The Question That Won't Go Away
 04:06 It's a Cry for Healing
 04:43 The Man With the Withered Hand
 05:07 God-Forsaken
 06:20 The Fellowship of the Withered Hand
 06:52 Jesus Prays Psalm 22
 07:50 The Cross & Complete Forsakenness
 08:16 One Little Word Changes Everything
 08:50 "My God..."
 09:42 He Is Still My God
 10:18 Meeting Jesus in Our Deepest Pain
 11:06 When the Prayer Becomes Simply... "My God"