Lament

Sorrow and grief come to everyone in time. Even – or especially – our biblical heroes faced periods of intense mourning. Yet a spiritually mature person knows what Nehemiah knew – that our prayers can be laments to God.

Nehemiah 1:4-6a
”As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants...”

Hearing news that pierced his religious and patriotic heart, Nehemiah turned in prayer and grief to God. His lament was a prayer in pain that led to trust. He expressed grief in an honest way to God and chose to trust in the middle of that sorrow.

Lament is not something we should avoid, especially in Christian worship. It is a means by which God allows us to approach him and express our pain, hurt, sin, and complaints.

Most biblical laments follow a pattern like this, as phrased by Mark Vroegop’s book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: “turn to God, bring your complaint, ask boldly for help, and choose to trust.”

Spend some time in prayer right now, turning to God about something that is currently bringing you sorrow. Here’s a good place to begin:

Psalm 5:1-8

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.

Prayer Points

Consider also praying for Bethel Church using the “World” section of the prayer points found here.

*A note on fasting:  

Nehemiah mentioned that he continued fasting as he prayed to God in his grief. Fasting is “a way of revealing to ourselves and confessing to our God what is in our hearts. Where do we find our deepest satisfaction – in God or in his gifts?”1 By abstaining from food for a time to connect with God, you give up what you physically need to focus your heart on the One you truly need. The purpose of fasting is to draw nearer to God. It is a common biblical practice outlined in the Old and New Testaments (Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 1:4; Esther 4:15- 16; Isaiah 58; Joel 2:12-16; Matthew 6:16-18; Acts 13:2-3). Consider this opportunity to seek the Lord in this intentional manner. 

1 Piper, John, A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer, (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1997),  58.