When the World Feels Broken… Lament
This last week, we were again confronted with the deep and dark brokenness of the world we live in as we watched the conflict in Ukraine. Frankly, all we need to do is read the news long enough each day, and we will find some expression of profound brokenness—war, famine, abuse, neglect, etc.
When we are confronted with the sobering brokenness of this age, what do we do about it? What can we do about it? Lament.
The Bible has a unique invitation for those who are suffering or are experiencing the injustices of this age. It isn’t merely or tritely an invitation to pull yourself up and do better or be better. It is an invitation to protest the brokenness of this age and, in that way, to partner with God as he grieves the brokenness and suffering of this age as well. This process is called lament.
Lament is the process of vocalizing our grief, pain, and displeasure in this broken world. It is not leveling accusations against God for being unjust or causing suffering in our lives because of some spontaneous or volatile anger. It allows us to protest sin and brokenness. It helps us process emotions caused by sin and selfishness. It restores dignity to our pain and suffering by giving it a voice. And, it reminds us that God is not casual or distant from our suffering; he is grieving with us.
Read about Reach Global’s Crisis Response (EFCA) work with the Ukrainian crisis: www.efca.org/ukrainian-refugee-response
Lament is a gift from God that does not seek to explain away the trouble but to provide reassurance within it—speaking on the Psalms of lament, theologian N.T. Wright says, “The point of lament, woven thus into the fabric of the biblical tradition, is not just that it’s an outlet for our frustration, sorrow, loneliness and sheer inability to understand what is happening or why. The mystery of the biblical story is that God also laments. Some Christians like to think of God as above all that, knowing everything, in charge of everything, calm and unaffected by the troubles in his world. That’s not the picture we get in the Bible.
God was grieved to his heart, Genesis declares, over the violent wickedness of his human creatures. He was devastated when his own bride, the people of Israel, turned away from him. And when God came back to his people in person—the story of Jesus is meaningless unless that’s what it’s about—he wept at the tomb of his friend. St. Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit “groaning” within us, as we ourselves groan within the pain of the whole creation. The ancient doctrine of the Trinity teaches us to recognize the One God in the tears of Jesus and the anguish of the Spirit.”[1]
Prayer is powerful. Why? Because of the one in whom we pray to.
Prayers of lament are powerful. Why? Because not only of the one in whom we pray to but also in the heart-shaping work it does in us.
So, when you are not sure what to do in the face of deep and dark brokenness, pray and lament.
Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
20 My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[b]
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
(Lamentation 3:19-24)
[1] https://time.com/5808495/coronavirus-christianity/?fbclid=IwAR3YauH8fwX6iBICvVIa70SS-uOIcyINs8-18qSsIlHtr63eDWTaDKbk8ew