LOL - Lament Out Loud
by Jennifer Stovall on December 6, 2024
"It's better to be an honest mess before God than a dishonest saint."- John Ortberg
After a particularly difficult few years, I am learning to bring my pain, frustrations, and emotions to God. It has made all the difference. I want to share about the often missed practice of LAMENT, in case anyone else has found themselves in a place of emotional distress.
The spiritual practice of lament is essential for those journeying through difficult and uncertain times. For the people of Israel, lament was a way to cry out to God during their exile. They did not shy away from expressing their frustrations or questioning God's actions or lack thereof. They laid bare their thoughts and emotions, trusting that God would listen to their cries.
Lament is a heartfelt prayer for help that emerges from a place of pain or distress. It allows us to express our most intimate feelings and deepest longings. By voicing our laments, we give expression to the exiled parts of ourselves. Lament can be a step towards healing, as we offer our concerns and wounds to God. Even if our wounds are not healed, they are acknowledged and lifted in prayer to the One who journeys with us through our wilderness.
About a third of the psalms are categorized as psalms of lament, including both individual and community expressions of grief and pain. Below are suggested steps to lead you into a time of lament:
•Choose a psalm of lament from the list below and read it aloud, reflecting on how it feels to pray these words to God:
•Individual psalms of lament: 6, 10, 13, 22, 25, 31, 38, 44, 55, 71, 86
•Corporate psalms of lament: 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 85, 90
Putting It into Practice: Write Your Own Lament
Psalms of lament typically follow a structure that includes these key elements:
Address—Your cry to God
“My God, my God” (Psalm 22:1).
Complaint—Description of the problem
“Why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1-2).
Petition—A request for help
“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—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).
Resolution—A vow of praise to God
“O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love” (Psalm 59:17).
Try writing your own psalm of lament using this pattern, or choose an existing psalm of lament and adapt it to your situation. Once you've written your psalm, consider sharing it with a trusted friend. Read it aloud to the Holy One who hears your deepest cries.
Find more encouragement from Jennifer at Mustard Seed Living — where faith intersects with personal growth to lead you towards a life you love.