Day 101 Restore Us, O God A Reflection on Psalm 80

“Restore Us, O God”

by Torrie Slaughter

Few prayers are as desperate—or as beautifully raw—as the one we find in Psalm 80.

“Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock…” (v. 1)

This is no casual request. It’s a cry for rescue, a plea for presence, and a longing for restoration from people who feel abandoned, bruised, and broken.

The pain is deep, but the hope is deeper still.

💔 When Tears Become Your Meal (vv. 4–6)

“You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.” (v. 5, ESV)

Have you ever cried so much it felt like your own sorrow was feeding you?
The psalmist captures what many of us have whispered in secret:
“Where are You, God?”

They were God’s people—but they felt distant.
They were called chosen—but they felt forgotten.

And yet, their faith doesn’t quit.
Even when their hearts are weary, their hope cries out:

“Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.” (v. 3, 7, 19)

✨ A Repeated Prayer Worth Repeating

That verse appears three times in the psalm.
Because sometimes, you have to keep praying the same thing until the light breaks through.
Not because God didn’t hear you the first time, but because you’re choosing to hope again—on purpose.

This isn’t shallow optimism. It’s resilient, rooted trust in the Shepherd who hears even the cries we don’t know how to form into words.

🔁 Reflection: Don’t Miss the Moment to Return

• Are you in a season where it feels like God is distant?

• Have you let your sorrow silence your worship—or are you bringing your tears to Him?

The Shepherd hasn’t abandoned you.
He’s not ignoring your pain.
He’s drawing near in the very place where you’re asking, “Why?”

Don’t miss this moment. Don’t miss the restoration that begins when you surrender even your ache to the Lord.

🛐 Prayer

O Lord,
Hear the cry of our hearts today—when words fail and tears speak louder.
Restore us. Let Your face shine on us.
Where we feel forgotten, remind us of Your nearness.
Where we feel broken, restore us by Your grace.
You are our Shepherd—lead us once again into peace, into healing, into trust.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.