Each Saturday during Lent, we will take some time as a church family to practice a different spiritual exercise together. Today, we are practicing and learning about lament.
About Lament
Christian musician and Biblical scholar Michael Card writes: “It seems to me that we do not need to be taught how to lament since we have so many models in Scripture. What we need is simply the assurance that it’s okay to lament.” 5As we consider the tears of Jesus, it is appropriate we bring some of our tears to God as well.
There are countless examples of lament in Scripture (see Psalms 6, 10, 13, 22, 25, 31, 38, 44, 55, 71, or 86), and lament is an amazing opportunity to express faith in God. Instead of backing away from God during a hard time or a dark night of the soul, we face the pain and worship Him with it.
Write Your Own Lament:
Write a lament about a crisis in your own life or something you see in our world today, following the pattern listed here. When you are done, pray it out loud to God.
- Address—Begin by addressing God directly. This is an intentional act of bringing your pain and frustration to the source of hope, rather than grumbling to others or despairing alone. “My God, my God” (Psalm 22:1).
- Complaint—Description of the problem. Honestly and specifically describe how the situation is affecting you or others, ask questions of where God is in the situation. “Why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1-2).
- Petition—Clearly name what you want God to do. Be as specific and concrete as possible. “Rise up, O Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake, O my God; you have appointed a judgment” (Psalm 7:6).
- Affirmation—End with a statement of trust. “But I call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He will hear my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17).