How to Find Peace in Troubling Times: Praying the Psalms with the Catholic Church
We live in an age marked by violence, division, anxiety, and constant bad news. Because information reaches us almost instantly, it can feel difficult to escape the turmoil around us. However, the Catholic Church offers an ancient and deeply biblical way to find peace: praying the Psalms.
Rather than ignoring suffering, the Psalms teach us how to bring our fears, grief, anger, hope, and praise directly to God. In fact, the Psalms formed the prayer book of ancient Israel, and Jesus Himself prayed them. Consequently, Christians have continued praying the Psalms throughout the history of the Church.
The Psalms Teach Us How to Pray
The Book of Psalms contains 150 inspired prayers that address virtually every human experience. For example, some Psalms express tremendous joy, while others cry out from suffering and fear. Others ask God for forgiveness, celebrate His goodness, or plead for justice.
Therefore, you don’t have to manufacture the “right” emotions before you pray.
Instead, the Psalms give you words when you don’t know what to say.
Perhaps you’re experiencing anxiety. A Psalm can help you place that anxiety before God. Maybe you’re grieving. In that case, the Psalms give you permission to lament. Likewise, when life feels peaceful, the Psalms teach you how to give thanks.
Most importantly, the Psalms remind us that prayer doesn’t require us to pretend everything is fine. Rather, authentic prayer brings our real lives before God.
Jesus Prayed the Psalms
The connection between the Psalms and Jesus makes this practice even more powerful.
Throughout His earthly life, Jesus prayed with the Scriptures of Israel. During His Passion, He even prayed words from the Psalms. For example, His cry from the Cross echoes Psalm 22:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
— Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1
Furthermore, Jesus’ final words also echo the Psalms and other Old Testament prayers.
Consequently, when Christians pray the Psalms, we aren’t simply reading ancient poetry. We are joining a prayer tradition that Jesus Himself received and prayed.
The Liturgy of the Hours: Praying with the Church
The Church has organized the Psalms into a structured form of prayer called the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office.
According to the Catechism, the Liturgy of the Hours is the public prayer of the Church and participates in Christ’s own prayer (CCC 1174–1178). Therefore, when Catholics pray the Hours, they don’t simply pray according to their personal emotions. Instead, they unite themselves with the universal Church.
For centuries, monks, religious communities, clergy, and lay Catholics have prayed the Psalms throughout the day. As a result, this practice sanctifies ordinary time by continually turning our attention toward God.
The Catechism explains that the Liturgy of the Hours is intended to sanctify the entire course of the day (CCC 1174).
Peace Doesn’t Mean the Absence of Problems
Ultimately, Christian peace doesn’t mean that violence, suffering, or uncertainty suddenly disappear.
Rather, Christian peace means trusting God in the middle of those realities.
Psalm 147 beautifully reminds us that God “heals the brokenhearted” and knows the stars by number. More importantly, the same God who governs creation also knows each person personally.
Therefore, when the world feels chaotic, we can remember that God has not abandoned His creation.
Instead of allowing the news cycle to control your heart, consider allowing Scripture to shape it.
Open the Psalms.
Pray slowly.
Bring your fears to God.
Give Him your grief.
Thank Him for His blessings.
Above all, remember that you don’t have to face troubled times alone. When you pray the Psalms, you join Christ and the Church in turning your heart toward the Father.
And ultimately, that is where lasting peace begins.
