Within the biblical tradition, when either the nation or individuals went through periods of despair or challenge, those of faith often employed a literary tool known as lament. When leaders of Israel failed to care for those on the margins, thus weakening the unity and strength of the nation, Babylon conquered and exiled God’s people to a foreign land. From that experience came the book of Lamentation, which from beginning to end contains lament after lament.
Despite how Monty Python and the Holy Grail depicts lament psalms as being so “depressing,” lament offers resiliency to remain tethered to God even when leaders try to “flood the zone,” or when we face one health setback after another. We can remain grounded in a peace the world cannot give. A peace whose source is in God. That resiliency can be found in the form of laments which is as follows…
- Address God- How we chose to name the divine mystery?
- Complaint- What heartfelt cry do we need God to hear?
- Petition- What do we want God to do about it?
- Confession of Trust- Without results, we confess that we can trust God.
- Vow of Praise- Without results, we praise God for what God has already done in our lives.
Today the UN reported that if aid is not given to Gaza, within 48 hours 14,000 babies could die of starvation. Another article reported on Ohio legislators using their power to craft legislation that would demean same-sex couples and the many beautiful ways families can look. Lament does not ignore injustice, but names it, and puts it within the hands of a God moving in ways of peace and justice. So, I invite you to join our ancestors in this ancient practice. Write or pray aloud a lament. Do not hold back. God can take it. What you are experiencing is a lot, but you are never alone.
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