"The Power of Lamenting"
The power of lamenting lies in tis ability to acknowledge pain, process suffering and express honest emotions to God, ultimately leading to trust and transformation Psalms 62:8. By giving voice to sorrow, loss, anger, feeling of abandonment and injustice, lament fosters a deep, truthful connection with the Divine, moving the individual from grief towards hope and a renewed capacity for joy. This sacred practice, found throughout the Bible, validates difficult feelings and provide a spiritual framework for moving through suffering towards a greater sense of peace and purpose.
Laments are well known in many communities. They are good way to express deep emotions. Lamenting encourage people to be honest with God, to speak the truth about their feelings and doubts. To lament to God is a sign of faith, not of doubt. In a lament, people do not attempt to solve the problem themselves, but they cry to God for help. They look to God, not the enemy, as the one ultimately in control of the situation. We ask God to take action to bring justice rather than taking action themselves (Psalm 28:3-4).
Biblical Examples of Laments
The Psalms: Many Psalms are laments, offering a template for expressing distress; asking for divine help, and concluding with a commitment to trust and praise.
The Book of Lamentations: This biblical text exemplifies a guttural cry of sorrow, loss and experience of incompleteness in the face of tragedy.
Jesus: Even Jesus practiced lamenting, brining his suffering to God and lamenting the suffering of others.
How to identify the parts of a lament?
Psalm 13:1-6 “Verses 1-2 "Complaint to God”
How much longer will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me?
How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my hear day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me?
“Verse’s 3-4 "Request to God”
Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don’t let me die. Don’t let my enemies say, “We have defeated him.” Don’t let them gloat over my downfall.
“Verse 5 "Statement of Trust in God”
I rely on your constant love: I will be glad, because you will rescue me.
“Verse 6: "Vow to Praise”
I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have been good to me. Take some time to create a lament to God. Your lament could be a song, rap,
poem, prayer, dance or any creative way you wish to express your feelings to God. It does not have to include all parts of a lament, but it does need to have a complaint.
I leave you with a prayer inspired by Lamentation 3:25
Heavenly Father, I come to You today, seeking Your goodness and mercy. Life can be filled with trials, and sometimes it’s difficult to trust and wait patiently. I pray for patience and steadfast faith to wait quietly for Your deliverance, knowing that You are good to those who seek You. Help me to persevere through my struggles, trusting that You will provide the strength and salvation I need.
In Jesus Name I pray.. Amen.