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Lament

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By Culbert Report

 If you're joining me here from my Epistle post: welcome! If you'd like to receive my Epistle updates, please just send me an email.

Here is the assignment I gave on writing a lament, a very helpful practice for this very unexpected and challenging season.


LITERARY CLASSICS - THE CONFESSIONS

LAMENT 2020

A PRACTICE OF LAMENT

  • Psalms - the Prayerbook of the people of God - are the story of human response to the action and presence of God. 67 of the 150 Psalms are lament.

  • Lament is honestly bringing the brokenness of the world to God,  clinging to God’s history of meeting brokenness with redemption and grace.

  • Psalms of lament are very direct speech and very demanding, not polite. The Psalms refer generally to “enemies” - anything that is against us and against God. They ask not “why?” but “how long?” They demand a response from God - because of who God is, who He has shown himself to be. Questions for reflection before writing:

    • What is the difference for you between “why” and “how long?”

    • Who is God to you right now? How does our understanding of his character influence faith and the life of faith?

  • The most important element in lament is trust. Demands a response from God because of trust. Lament is an act of remembering who God is.


Consider: What do you want to lament? What aspect of life you are grieving that you may want to bring before God. As you reflect, is there an image or metaphor that comes to mind that could help describe your situation?


1. Cry out to God

How will you address God? How do you believe your relationship with God will initiate change in your life?

Why, Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?


2. State your complaint

What is your complaint? What anger, pain, heartache or sadness do you have that may need to be discussed with God? 

  • Start with “How long O Lord?”

  • Honesty - “This is where I am” ...Emotions that others identify with: I am so tired of this! I keep hoping… but nothing changes. I am about to give in to despair. I cry out to you and there is no answer… no healing. I’m afraid… I am angry… I feel like I can’t get out.

I cry by day but you do not answer; by night, but I find no rest. How long will you be far off from me?


3. Remember 

How have you experienced God being on your side in the past? Remember and make a step toward God if you can: “This I call to mind...” 

  • What are the things about God, his character, his actions, his ways, that bring you hope?

  • What are the most important things about God to you that you can call to mind?

  • ...the times that You seemed to be absent, but now I see that You were there. You answered - in a way I never expected.

Oh, guard my soul and deliver me. Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.


4. Make your request

What is your desire from God? What do you want for your life situation right now?

Don’t look the other way; your servant can’t take it. I’m in trouble. Answer right away!


5. Rage against enemies 

What are the enemies in your life? Say what you need to say.


7. Express assurance of being heard

What do you need from God to feel heard? How can you acknowledge that God is listening to your prayer in this moment?

Once again I’ll go over what God has done… I’ll ponder the things you’ve accomplished.


8. Affirmation of trust

End by saying: “Restore us O God! Let your face shine that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80)


Individual psalms of Lament include: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9-10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 89, 120, 139, 141, 142.

Corporate psalms of Lament include: 12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129.


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