A Time to Lament

Some Thoughts:

Lamenting is a word I’ve just noticed recently.  Sometimes we ask whether it’s “okay” to lament.  There are many incidents in the Bible where the author lamented.

What is lamenting? It’s defined as expressing deep sorrow, loss, or regret.

Who are some of the people who lamented?  Daniel’s prayer is a lament:

“Ah, Lord – the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands – we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from Your commands and ordinances.  We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land.  Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but this day public shame belongs to us.” ~ Daniel 9:4-7

“Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of Your servant.  Make Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake.  Listen closely, my God, and hear.  Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city that ears Your name.  For we are not presenting our petitions before You based on our righteous acts, but based on Your abundant compassion.  Lord, hear!  Lord, forgive!  Lord, listen and act!  My God, for Your own sake, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.”~ Daniel 9:17-19

Joel called the people to lament.  (I’ve capitalized some of the verbs/action words.)  Joel says: “WAKE UP, you drunkards and WEEP; WAIL.”  (~ Joel 1:5) “GRIEVE like a young woman dressed in sackcloth, MOURNING for the husband of her youth.”  (~ Joel 1:8) “BE ASHAMED”  (~ Joel 1:11)
“LAMENT…..“Come and spend the night in sackcloth.” (~ Joel 1:13)
“Announce a sacred FAST; proclaim an assembly!  Gather the elders and all the residents of the land at the house of the Lord your God, and CRY OUT to the Lord.” (~ Joel 1:14)

Jesus lamented when He wept over Jerusalem: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks^[a] under her wings, but you were not willing!” (~ Matthew 23:37)

Why do we not lament?  I admit, it doesn’t sound like much fun.  But if ever needed, it is now!  Lamenting is painful; it’s uncomfortable.  It means facing raw reality.  It’s taking responsibility for our part and confessing.  Lamenting is weeping, grieving, mourning.  It’s crying out to the Lord, seeking the Lord.  It’s standing in the gap for those who are NOT crying out to the Lord. It’s not railing on God; it’s crying out in desperation when we don’t know what to do.

Tara Beth Leach wrote a lament in her book, “Radiant Church.”  She says so eloquently what is in my own heart:

“Lord, You are loving, merciful, and kind.  You continue to work, heal, and redeem in spite of us.  When we abandon obedience to You, You’re still there to pursue us and pick us up.  You promise to never leave nor forsake us.  Your grace is abundant and Your love unending.

“Lord, we have gotten tangled up and don’t know how to untangle ourselves.  We know things aren’t right, but we don’t know what to do at times, so we go back to what we know and return to the status quo.

“Lord, we are sorry and are sad at who we have become.  We have not loved you with our whole hearts, and we have not loved our neighbors. 

“Lord, we yearn for grace and mercy.  Hear our cry of repentance, hear our prayers, and our aches of confession.  We ask that You see us and not forsake us.  We pray that You would have compassion on us and heal our brokenness.

“We look to You with hope, adoration, and trust.  Thank You that You don’t abandon Your children, but draw near to us.  We know that we have been dimly lit, and we thank You that You have continued to shine bright.
“Rescue us, Lord. Redeem us. Heal us. We need You.

“Thank You, Lord, that on the cross You had compassion on the abusers, though it was not deserved.  Thank You, Lord, that on the cross You thought of us.  Thank You, Lord, that from the cross came resurrection, and You call us sons and daughters of the resurrection!  Resurrect us from our slumber, and transform us into the radiant bride You believe we can be.  Amen.” ~ Tara Beth Leach

Prayer:  Lord, our hearts grieve over the brokenness we see every day in the world in which we live. If it grieves my heart so deeply to see someone sitting on the curb, just crying and yelling, oblivious to anyone or anything around them, how much more it must grieve your heart to see what sin has done to Your beautiful world and the beautiful human beings you created.  I cry out for the innocent ones who have been hurt by the sins of others.  Have mercy on us, Lord!  We need You.  May Your glory shine brilliantly and break through the deep, dark clouds of despair.  Forgive us, Lord, for complacency.  Forgive us, Lord, for seeking abundance of material things and neglecting the things that will matter eternally.  Forgive us, Lord, when we’ve looked the other way and not offered a helping hand.  May we stand in the gap in intercessory prayer for those who don’t know you yet.  May we stand in the gap in intercessory prayer for those who are helpless and harassed by the enemy and don’t know how to get out of the pit they find themselves in.  Please renew, revive, and increase our strength, courage, hope, and love.  amen.

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