The prayer of longing
The Prayer of Longing – Lessons from the Rivers of Babylon
The theme of longing resonates deeply throughout the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, inviting us to connect with the desires of our heart and align them with God’s will. One of the most poignant examples of longing in scripture is found in Psalm 137, often associated with the exile of the Israelites in Babylon. This psalm begins with the haunting line,
“By the rivers of Babylon—there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.”
In this article, we explore the prayer of longing, drawing insights from this evocative psalm and reflecting on how it can inspire a deeper connection with God in our own spiritual journey.
The Context of Longing
Exile and Desolation
Psalm 137 is a lamentation from the period of the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish people were forcibly removed from Jerusalem and separated from their homeland, the temple, and the heart of their worship. This was not just a physical exile but a profound spiritual disorientation. Their longing was not merely for a return to a geographical place but to a deep, covenantal relationship with God.
As they sat by the rivers of Babylon, their lament was an act of prayer, a cry of the heart:
“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:4)
The rivers symbolize a paradox. They are places of nourishment and flow, yet for the exiles, they are also places of tears, reminders of what has been lost. This duality mirrors the human experience of longing—our yearning springs from both the ache of absence and the memory of fulfillment.
Longing as a Spiritual Invitation
In the Ignatian tradition, longing is more than an emotional experience; it is a spiritual compass. Longing points to the desires God has planted within us, urging us toward greater intimacy with Him. When we feel the ache of absence—whether it be separation from loved ones, a sense of spiritual dryness, or the loss of a former sense of peace—this very ache can lead us closer to God.
St. Augustine famously wrote,
“Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Longing, then, becomes a form of prayer, a means of expressing our restlessness and inviting God into the spaces of emptiness within us.
Prayer of Longing
Reflections from Psalm 137
- Name the Ache The Israelites did not shy away from expressing their grief and longing. Similarly, in our prayer, we are invited to name the areas where we feel longing, loss, or yearning. This honesty in prayer creates space for God’s healing presence.
Reflection Question: What is your “Zion”? What are you longing for in your life right now? - Remember God’s Faithfulness The psalm demonstrates the power of memory. By recalling Zion, the Israelites were not merely reminiscing about the past but anchoring themselves in God’s promises and faithfulness.
Reflection Question: How has God been faithful to you in the past? How can remembering His faithfulness help you trust Him with your current longing? - Surrender the Pain The psalm includes raw, unfiltered emotions—even anger and vengeance. While these sentiments might seem unsettling, they remind us that God invites us to bring every part of ourselves to Him, trusting that He can transform even our pain.
Reflection Question: What emotions or struggles are you holding back from God? How can you surrender these in prayer? - Renew Hope in God’s Promises The rivers of Babylon were not the end of the story. The Israelites’ longing eventually led to their return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. Longing is inherently forward-looking, orienting us toward the hope of God’s promises.
Reflection Question: How does your longing reflect the deeper desires God has placed in your heart?
Practical Steps for Praying with Longing
- Scripture Meditation
Use Psalm 137 or another passage of longing, such as the Beatitudes (“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”) or Romans 8:22-25, which speaks of creation’s groaning for redemption. Slowly meditate on the text, asking God to reveal how it connects to your own experiences. - Imaginative Prayer
Place yourself by the rivers of Babylon. Imagine the sights, sounds, and emotions of the exiles. What do you feel as you sit in their midst? What do you long for? How does God meet you in this place? - Write a Prayer of Longing
Take time to compose your own prayer, naming your desires, fears, and hopes. Allow your words to flow honestly, as the psalmists did, trusting that God receives your prayer with compassion. - Use Music or Art
The longing expressed in Psalm 137 has inspired countless works of art and music, including the well-known reggae song “Rivers of Babylon.” Engage with music or art that captures the theme of longing, and let it guide you into deeper prayer.
Longing and Consolation
The prayer of longing is not merely about expressing sorrow; it is also about opening ourselves to consolation. St. Ignatius teaches us to notice God’s presence even in our desolation, trusting that He is drawing us closer to Himself. Longing becomes a bridge between our present reality and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
As we sit by the rivers of Babylon in our own lives—whether in times of grief, waiting, or hope—may we allow our longing to become a prayer, trusting that God is with us in every moment. And as the psalmist reminds us, even in exile, we can remember Zion:
“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!” (Psalm 137:5)
May our longing always lead us home to God.
This practice encourages us to embrace longing as a sacred part of our spiritual journey. It is a reminder that God hears every cry, counts every tear, and transforms every ache into a deeper communion with Him. Let your longing be your prayer, and trust that in time, it will be met with the joy of God’s faithful love.
Artistic online resources
Psalm 137, “By the rivers of Babylon,” has inspired numerous artistic interpretations across various mediums. Here are some notable resources:
Visual Art
- St. Albans Psalter (c. 1119–45): This illuminated manuscript features a vivid depiction of Psalm 137, illustrating the Israelites’ sorrow during the Babylonian exile.
The VCS - Marc Chagall’s “The Western Wall” (1966): Chagall’s mosaic captures the yearning of exiles, drawing inspiration from Psalm 137 to symbolize the Jewish diaspora’s longing for Jerusalem.
The VCS - Sandrine Kespi’s Paintings: Contemporary artist Sandrine Kespi has created artworks reflecting the themes of Psalm 137, available on platforms like Fine Art America.
Music
- “Rivers of Babylon” by The Melodians (1970): This reggae song adapts the opening verses of Psalm 137, expressing themes of longing and displacement. It was later popularized by Boney M.
Art and Theology - “By the Rivers of Babylon” by Joshua Aaron: A modern rendition of Psalm 137:1–5, blending traditional and contemporary musical elements.
YouTube - Genevan Psalter’s Psalm 137: This version offers sheet music and recordings based on the historic Genevan Psalter, providing a classical interpretation of the psalm.
Geneva NPSalter
Literature
- “By the Rivers of Babylon” Exhibition: This online exhibition explores artistic interpretations of Psalm 137, featuring works by various artists and insightful commentaries.
The VCS - “10 Representations of Psalm 137 Throughout History”: An article that examines diverse artistic depictions of Psalm 137, highlighting its impact on visual arts.
Oxford Academic
These resources offer a rich tapestry of artistic expressions inspired by Psalm 137, each providing unique insights into its themes of longing and exile.
