Embracing Lament: Honest Prayer in Suffering

Summary

### Summary

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we delve into the language of lament, a form of prayer that is often overlooked but deeply rooted in the Bible. Lament is a way to express our suffering and sorrow directly to God. It may seem disrespectful to question God or express our frustrations, but God invites us to be honest with Him. He already knows our hearts, so hiding our true feelings is futile. The book of Lamentations, written by the prophet Jeremiah, is a prime example of this. Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," wrote during a time of immense suffering for the people of Jerusalem, who had seen their city destroyed and were exiled to Babylon.

Lamenting is not just about venting; it is a structured way to bring our deepest concerns to God. It involves addressing God, stating our complaints, expressing our motivation for turning to Him, and ending with praise. This structure helps us to be honest with God while also reaffirming our faith in His promises. The Psalms are filled with examples of lament, showing us that even great figures like King David and Jesus Himself used this form of prayer. David lamented during his struggles with his son Absalom, and Jesus lamented on the cross, quoting Psalm 22.

Lamenting allows us to maintain a covenant relationship with God, where we trust in His steadfast love, or "hesed." This love is unwavering and is a central theme in the Bible. Even when God disciplines His people, as He did with Israel, His steadfast love remains. This love is a covenant, a promise that God will never abandon us. As Christians, we are part of this covenant through our baptism, making us God's children and part of the new Israel.

In our modern culture, we often turn to self-help or medication to solve our problems, but God invites us to bring our concerns directly to Him. Lamenting is a way to engage in a deep, honest relationship with God, trusting in His faithfulness and love. It is a practice that can bring comfort and hope, knowing that God hears our cries and will act according to His perfect plan.

### Key Takeaways

1. Honesty in Prayer: God invites us to be brutally honest in our prayers, expressing our true feelings and frustrations. This honesty is not disrespectful but a form of deep trust in God's understanding and love. When we lament, we acknowledge that God already knows our hearts and that we can be open with Him. [01:44]

2. Structured Lament: Lamenting is not just venting; it is a structured form of prayer that includes addressing God, stating our complaints, expressing our motivation, and ending with praise. This structure helps us to be honest while reaffirming our faith in God's promises. [04:28]

3. Covenant Relationship: The concept of "hesed," or steadfast love, is central to our relationship with God. This covenant love assures us that God will never abandon us, even when we face discipline or suffering. As part of the new Israel through baptism, we are included in this covenant. [08:36]

4. Biblical Examples: The Bible is filled with examples of lament, from King David to Jesus Himself. These examples show us that lamenting is a valid and important form of prayer. David's laments during his struggles and Jesus' lament on the cross are powerful reminders of the importance of being honest with God. [12:32]

5. Cultural Contrast: In a culture that often turns to self-help or medication to solve problems, lamenting offers a different approach. It encourages us to bring our deepest concerns directly to God, trusting in His faithfulness and love. This practice can bring comfort and hope, knowing that God hears our cries and will act according to His perfect plan. [15:56]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Introduction to Lament
[01:44] - Honesty in Prayer
[02:25] - Jeremiah and Lamentations
[03:04] - The Structure of Lament
[04:28] - Elements of Lament
[05:06] - Motivation and Hope
[05:45] - Learning the Language of Lament
[06:26] - Historical Context of Lamentations
[07:00] - Suffering and God's Faithfulness
[08:05] - The Concept of Hesed
[09:03] - How to Lament
[09:34] - Community Lament
[10:09] - Addressing God in Lament
[10:40] - Ending with Praise
[11:12] - King David's Lament
[12:07] - David's Struggles
[12:32] - Jesus' Lament
[13:40] - Jesus' Trust in God
[14:10] - Lament in Modern Life
[15:04] - The Comforter
[15:29] - Suffering and Hope
[15:56] - Cultural Contrast
[16:30] - Conclusion

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV): "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
2. Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6 (NIV): "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? ... But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me."
3. Psalm 22:1 (NIV): "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?"

### Observation Questions

1. What is the main theme of the book of Lamentations, and who is its author? [02:25]
2. According to the sermon, what are the five common elements of a lament? [04:28]
3. How does the concept of "hesed" or steadfast love play a role in the practice of lamenting? [08:05]
4. What examples of lamenting are given from the lives of King David and Jesus? [12:32]

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the structure of lamenting help in maintaining a covenant relationship with God? [05:45]
2. Why is it important to be brutally honest with God in our prayers, according to the sermon? [01:44]
3. How does the practice of lamenting contrast with modern cultural approaches to dealing with suffering and sorrow? [15:56]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of community in the practice of lamenting? [09:34]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How might the practice of lamenting have helped you during that period? [01:44]
2. The sermon encourages us to be brutally honest with God in our prayers. What are some specific feelings or frustrations you have been hesitant to bring before God? [01:44]
3. How can you incorporate the structured elements of lament into your daily prayer life? Consider addressing God, stating your complaints, expressing your motivation, and ending with praise. [04:28]
4. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's steadfast love ("hesed") during times of suffering or discipline? [08:05]
5. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to practice lamenting as a way to deepen their relationship with God? [09:34]
6. Think about the cultural tendency to turn to self-help or medication for solving problems. How can you shift your focus to bringing your deepest concerns directly to God? [15:56]
7. Reflect on the examples of King David and Jesus lamenting. How do their experiences inspire you to be more open and honest in your relationship with God? [12:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Honesty in Prayer
God invites us to be brutally honest in our prayers, expressing our true feelings and frustrations. This honesty is not disrespectful but a form of deep trust in God's understanding and love. When we lament, we acknowledge that God already knows our hearts and that we can be open with Him. Lamenting allows us to maintain a covenant relationship with God, where we trust in His steadfast love, or "hesed." This love is unwavering and is a central theme in the Bible. Even when God disciplines His people, as He did with Israel, His steadfast love remains. This love is a covenant, a promise that God will never abandon us. As Christians, we are part of this covenant through our baptism, making us God's children and part of the new Israel. [01:44]

Psalm 62:8 (ESV): "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt frustrated or hurt. Can you take a moment to honestly express these feelings to God in prayer, trusting that He understands and cares for you?

Day 2: Structured Lament
Lamenting is not just venting; it is a structured form of prayer that includes addressing God, stating our complaints, expressing our motivation, and ending with praise. This structure helps us to be honest while reaffirming our faith in God's promises. The Psalms are filled with examples of lament, showing us that even great figures like King David and Jesus Himself used this form of prayer. David lamented during his struggles with his son Absalom, and Jesus lamented on the cross, quoting Psalm 22. This structured approach to lamenting can guide us in our own prayers, helping us to bring our deepest concerns to God in a way that is both honest and faith-affirming. [04:28]

Psalm 13:1-2 (ESV): "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?"

Reflection: Can you identify a specific concern or complaint you have today? Try to follow the structure of lament by addressing God, stating your complaint, expressing your motivation for turning to Him, and ending with praise.

Day 3: Covenant Relationship
The concept of "hesed," or steadfast love, is central to our relationship with God. This covenant love assures us that God will never abandon us, even when we face discipline or suffering. As part of the new Israel through baptism, we are included in this covenant. Lamenting allows us to maintain this covenant relationship with God, where we trust in His steadfast love. This love is unwavering and is a central theme in the Bible. Even when God disciplines His people, as He did with Israel, His steadfast love remains. This love is a covenant, a promise that God will never abandon us. [08:36]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's steadfast love in your life. How can you remind yourself of this covenant love during times of difficulty or discipline?

Day 4: Biblical Examples
The Bible is filled with examples of lament, from King David to Jesus Himself. These examples show us that lamenting is a valid and important form of prayer. David's laments during his struggles and Jesus' lament on the cross are powerful reminders of the importance of being honest with God. These biblical examples teach us that it is okay to bring our deepest sorrows and frustrations to God, trusting that He hears us and will respond according to His perfect plan. [12:32]

Psalm 22:1-2 (ESV): "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest."

Reflection: Think about a biblical figure who lamented to God. How does their example encourage you to be honest with God in your own prayers?

Day 5: Cultural Contrast
In a culture that often turns to self-help or medication to solve problems, lamenting offers a different approach. It encourages us to bring our deepest concerns directly to God, trusting in His faithfulness and love. This practice can bring comfort and hope, knowing that God hears our cries and will act according to His perfect plan. Lamenting allows us to engage in a deep, honest relationship with God, trusting in His faithfulness and love. It is a practice that can bring comfort and hope, knowing that God hears our cries and will act according to His perfect plan. [15:56]

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: In what ways do you typically handle your problems? Can you try bringing a specific concern to God in lament today, trusting in His faithfulness and love?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Culture tells us all our problems are solvable, aren't they? If I just as a human can figure it out, maybe there's something wrong with me. Maybe I just need to go into a state of depression versus share my heart with God. Grace and peace to you today from God our Father and the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen." [00:00] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God invites us to be that honest in our prayer life with Him. And the thing, I guess, to keep in mind as we go through this little discussion of the language of lament is that God, you know, can read our hearts. So if we're thinking it, He can perceive it. Whether or not we try to hide it by what we say in a very respectful manner." [01:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The language of lament is not an outburst of unrestrained speech that gives free rein to an emotional torrent of words. It's not meant to be that. It's not a venting for the sake simply of venting to God. Instead, it's a structured, controlled language in a modicum of structure in times where we feel really disoriented in our lives or in our struggles." [04:28] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The faithful love of God never ends. God is steadfast in His love. And that's the key point when it is bookended by a lot of complaining at the beginning and then a lot of focus on why am I motivated? Because you've delivered me." [06:26] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So hesed is this steadfast love. It's used 248 times in Scripture. Hesed. God's steadfast love. His loving kindness. His covenant loyalty. Because it's a covenant. And Israel broke the covenant. You will follow my ten commandments. You will not commit adultery. You will not commit idolatry. All of the commandments, as we know them, of which we constantly sin. But they abused him to a very severe degree. And they faced his punishment. But they also faced his continued steadfast love." [08:05] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Lamenting is more than just whining. It's more than that. It's an appeal to God of the genuineness of our heart. And it actually is a place to have sort of a space for our grief. And to be very honest with our grief to God. At a visitation not that long ago, the individual I was speaking with that we communed, said, I don't get why God has been so rough on me this year. It's like, is God hating me? I don't understand it. That is a lament. And in a prayer, it's sometimes very hard to say those words. That that's how you feel. But it's really trying to bring this out in the open." [03:04] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "One is the three parts that are really components of lamenting is to be brutally honest with where you're at in your life. And with your struggles. And with how you perceive God to be responding or not to your particular problems. And you're reaching out with a point of motivation that is looking for help. So it wants to be help. You want helpfulness from God either to you or to the community. Because we can lament as a community. And many of the Psalms are individual laments but also there's a good portion that are community laments. Where we lament as a congregation. As a church body. For where things are at maybe in our society." [09:03] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So, it's a motivation that you have inherent when you go through a lamentation, the language of lamenting, which says, I know why, God, you should act, because I have confidence in you to act. It's this confidence that bears out in the word hope. Hope because of what God did for us through His Son in His own suffering. So, like, the rituals that we have in a wedding, the rituals that we have in the liturgical flow of our service, the rituals that we have in a funeral, so we have sort of a ritual format for how we lament to God." [05:06] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So when you structure it you begin by of course you address it to God. As we do in any prayer to our Heavenly Father. And then you state your concern. Oh God, you've been a person apparently absent in my life. I mean I'm going through these struggles. I don't even feel your presence. Are you going to help me or not? Is it going to be in my lifetime or another? When are you going to make a difference in my life? And then you state your motivation. Because Lord I know you have acted with your people. I know you take care of suffering. I know you heal all wounds. I know you did it through your son. But I know you will do it in my life. Or at least in your plan. There is a blessing forthcoming. And then you end with praise. Because Lord you are the God of all creation. You are the God who gave your son. You are the God of everything. Your steadfast love endures forever. Praise to you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." [10:09] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So don't break that covenant. Share your lament and your concerns with God. If you're in a great state of depression, of course seek secular help. But seek help from God. Share it directly with Him. Don't ponder in silence by yourself. Ponder in spiritual alignment with your Heavenly Father. Seek His counsel. Seek His direction. Because He is faithful." [16:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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