It is a phrase often cried out in breathless desire. Children on a long and weary car ride cry out “Are we there yet? How long do we have to go?” When we are awaiting an important celebration event and can barely contain our excitement we ask, “What time is it? How many hours until the celebration begins?” Rejoicing spontaneously breaks out as children arrive at the destination, when a long-awaited celebration begins, and when our prayers of lament conclude with statements of praise and trust of God.
What is a lament? According to Dictionary.com, when lament is used as a noun it is “a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.” If it is used as a verb, it is “to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret; to mourn deeply.” When we bring our lament to God there is no hiding from sorrow, grief, and heartbreak. Lament moves us through the heart of despair and disappointment to hope and trust in God’s gracious love which is always deeper and stronger than our feelings.
The Scripture
Lament is found throughout the Bible. An example from 2 Samuel “David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan.” (2 Samuel 1:17) There are 42 Psalms of Lament in the Bible. To see a listing of Psalms of Lament you may view Ken Boa’s webpage. He provides references for both individual laments and communal laments.
For us today please review Psalm 74. Notice the seven parts of Lament.
- Address to God.
- Review of God’s faithfulness in the past.
- The complaint.
- A confession of sin or claim of innocence.
- A request for help.
- God’s response (often not stated),
- A vow to praise, statement of trust in God.
Lament assists in authentic expression of sorrow, love, peace, and faith in God.
Today’s Prayer Practice
Today you are invited to write your own Psalm, song, or prayer of Lament. Will it be for you personally? Will your Lament anoint the hearts of community as you gather folks in worship and offer a communal Lament for our warring wayward nation? Whether you choose to write an individual or communal Lament, trust that God is leading your words into deepen solidarity with others. For a suggested structure of writing a Lament please, download the outline form here. Jim Martin of International Justice Mission 1, gives a brief background of Lament and then on page two he has a complete form for writing your Lament.
May your gift of Lament lead free you and your community from sorrow and sighing and lead you into new hope.
Enjoy Praying.
