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I'll be honest, I don't have much to say this week.
Part of that is due to the holiday weekend but mainly it's because the last few weeks have been tough—not just for me, but for many different people in my life. Most of my conversations lately have centered around a heartache, injustice, or sorrow. And as someone who feels deeply, this can quickly become overwhelming.
Which is why I’m thankful for lament.
For a God who not only sees and hears but gives us an honest way to connect with Him in the midst of pain.
However, I know lament isn’t everyone’s favorite topic, but I think that’s because we often don't see it for the gift it truly is.
So what exactly is it?
In his book, Prophetic Lament, Soong-Chan Rah tells us that,
“Laments are prayers of petition arising out of need. It is not simply the presentation of a list of complaints or merely the expression of sadness over difficult circumstances. Lament in the Bible is a liturgical response to the reality of suffering and engages God in the context of pain and trouble. The hope of lament is that God would respond to human suffering that is wholeheartedly communicated through lament.”
Lament is getting honest about the reality of our suffering with the God who not only sees and hears, but responds. He moves on our behalf.
At it’s core:
“Lament is relational. It’s taking our grief and pain and expressing it to one who will listen. It’s one thing to feel a sorrow and quite another to express it boldly. By clenching my fists and crying out to God, I expressed the ache in my soul and trusted my grief to the possibility that someone might be listening.” (Embodied Integration by Megan Neff and Mark McMinn)
To trust my grief to the One who is always listening.
That is lament.
However, I know this can be difficult for those of us who have been told to “always be thankful,” and “never grumble” in the midst of hard times. There’s a misconception that lament is merely complaining in God’s direction but in reality, lament is a form of praise.
For example, after getting diagnosed with terminal blood cancer, J. Todd Billings writes,
“As strange as it sounds, prayers of lament in a biblical pattern are actually a form of praise to God and an expression of trust in his promises.” (Rejoicing In Lament)
The Biblical pattern he is talking about is the order of protest, petition, praise.
Protest: Tell God what is wrong.
Petition: Tell God what we want Him to do about it. Ask Him for what we need.
Praise: Express trust in God based on His character and past actions.
While injustice, suffering and grief may be the trigger for lament, its foundation rests on the fact that there is a God who deeply cares. It takes a lot of courage to cry out in the midst of pain. As we get radically honest with God, we are ultimately saying, “I trust you.”
This trust is the basis of lament. That there is a God who weeps with me and moves on my behalf.
So on the days when everything falls apart (aka this whole past week), I can angry cry in my parked car and know that this too is prayer.
In Prophetic Lament, Soong-Chan Rah takes readers through the acrostic poem format used in the book of lamentations. The author starts each line with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The reason for this is because, “deep suffering can result in deep despair unless the boundaries of suffering are laid out. By expressing the fullness of grief from A to Z, the author of lamentations seeks that people might experience an emotional catharsis. Lament is truth telling, and the acrostic provides safe boundaries and guidelines where truth can be expressed…it provides a sense of completion.”
Write your own acrostic poem about an area in your life that you are currently grieving. Starting with the letter A, move through the alphabet as you tell the truth of the impact of this loss.
*Example:
A little while ago, I felt whole.
But now, all has been shattered.
Can anyone tell just how much pain I am in?
Distress is all I know.
Even though I know God is with me,
Fear crouches at my door.
etc…
*(not actually how I am feeling but you get the picture).
Psalms of Lament are one the most common types of psalm in the Bible. Choose one to read through (6, 10, 13, 17, 22, 25, 30, 31, 69, 73, 86, 88, 102). What do you identify with? What makes you uncomfortable? Using the format of the psalm you chose, rewrite it based on a current circumstance you are grieving.
Create some space and ask the Lord: “Is there anything in my life you are asking me to grieve or lament? Where do I need to get honest with you?” Write down the first thing that comes to mind. Then using the previous prompts, write a prayer of lament for this particular thing.
A song of lament by Common Hymnal.
A great conversation on how culture shapes lament.
An article about lament and Hip Hop.
A Soong-Cha Rah sermon on love, humility and lament
As much as I love the fireworks, friends, and food of the Fourth of July, I am also aware of its history. Watch this video on Frederick Douglass’ speech: "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" to learn more.
Housekeeping
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