Prayers of Lament

 

   

 Everyone goes through tough times in life. We either withdraw inwardly and risk becoming self-absorbed, or we try to ignore our problems and pretend everything's okay. These approaches are not helpful nor are they based on God's wisdom. But there's a third way given to us by God: praying with lament.
    
Lament helps us trust God as we suffer. When we look at the prayers of lament contained in the bible, two important questions are asked: Where is God and Why is this happening. These might be uncomfortable questions for some Christians to ask. Over sixty psalms are prayers of lament, and we can follow the examples of David, the one who God considered a man after His own heart and our Lord as He prayed Psalm 22:1 while suffering on the cross. Prayers of lament can help us process our questions and move to a place where we can trust and praise God in the midst of pain and suffering.

Developing the discipline of praying these psalms can be most helpful when we are in seasons of suffering, loss and disappointment. Let's discover how we can use the four elements of lament as a way of praying by using Psalm 42.

Turn to God

Note: Our emotions and circumstances ought to reveal our great need for God so it is right that we ought to first turn to Him. For God is well acquainted with our suffering and He hears our cry (Psalm 18). Resist the pull to turn inward or rely on the comfort from others before turning to God in a prayer of lament.

Scripture: vss. 1-2 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Prayer: Father, you are the living God, and my soul cannot find lasting satisfaction in anyone or anything but you. So, I turn to you, for I need you in this hour. May my suffering continuously bring me before you and not cause me to draw away from your presence.

Bring Your Complaint to God

Note: This is an important part of lament. We can be honest before God. He knows our thoughts, worries, fears and questions and kindly invites us to bring them to Him. He wants us to move from our questions and concerns to trusting Him. In these moments we sit between the pain of our circumstances and the promises of Christ. We want to ask Why and How questions in our prayers.

Scripture: vss. 3, 9-10 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"...I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go on mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?". As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?".

Prayer: Father, the pain is overwhelming. My mind continuously thinks on what is happening and all I can do is worry. I desperately look around to find some evidence of You working in this and I'm left to wonder if You've forgotten me. How long must I wait for your help?

Present Your Petition to God

Note: Remember that our complaint is an important part of the journey and not the culmination. Not reaching this element can be dangerous for our soul. Our complaint should serve as a pivot to bringing our petition to God. Think of the pivot as moving from the Why and How to the Who. We are asking God to act according to His character and promises. It is helpful to note that often Why and How questions remain unanswered before we pivot to bringing our petitions to the Who.

Scripture: vss. 6-8 My soul is cast down within me: therefore, I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar...By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the god of my life.

Prayer: Father, as I look back over the waves of this suffering, I can see your hand as you have sustained me and kept me. You have commanded your love for me in this suffering has not overwhelmed me. In my weakness, you have kept me. Instead of lying at night in tears, help me to think of your great love and consider the small and great acts of faithfulness You've shown to me. May my heart sing for you more than my heart cries at the pain. As waves of discouragement crash against my heart, if you allow this plight to continue, help me fix my eyes on You. May I consider that the sufferings in this life cannot compare with the immeasurable glory that awaits when you bring me home.

Express your Trust and Praise in God

Note: This expression is not a singular event but can be viewed as an "active patience". Trust is believing what we know about God even when our circumstances and emotions offer differing views. We must moment by moment view our present suffering through God's eternal perspective. Remember that our suffering is not final and eternal. We can consider this two-part question: Is God able to be trusted during my suffering? If my suffering never changes in this life, is He worthy to be praised?

Scripture: vs 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God: for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Prayer: When my soul is downcast at the sight of my suffering, may my eyes be lifted to the suffering of my Savior and the great salvation I now have because of Him. He is my one true hope, that my eternal home is with you. If this pain remains, may Your praise be on my lips knowing the eternal rest that Christ secured for me. All of my pain and suffering will cease but my praise for you will be all the more. You are worthy of my praise. Please Lord Jesus, come quickly.