Day 5: Lament

Pray 

Dear God, the burden of my work is heavy. I see so many things that are too much to carry on my own. Be my comfort and give me a reprieve from painful emotions. You hear my cry for help. You are faithful to answer. Amen. 

Read

Psalm 18:6

Psalm 61:1-3

Psalm 86:1-7

Reflect

A man is shot while walking down the street. A woman dies in a car accident. An argument escalates into domestic violence. A family’s home is ravaged by fire. You are often on the frontlines of these events, witnessing the painful effects of a fallen world. You are the person who delivers difficult news to loved ones. You stand next to people in times of crisis. You encounter loss, tragedy, and evil in ways other people rarely do.

How do you process these experiences? Where do you take this pain?

The Bible gives us an outlet for painful emotions through laments that give voice to deep suffering. In 67 of the Psalms, in Lamentations, in several of the prophets, the writers are comforted as they cry out to God. Many times in the Psalms the writer begins in desolation and ends in hope. I called to God for help and he listened!

Articulating our experiences to God invites God to comfort us in them. We are encouraged to name our despair, helplessness, weakness, trouble—and ask God to intervene. We can approach God with great assurance that God will hear and answer. 

Respond 

Try bringing a painful experience before God by praying a psalm of lament (Psalm 10, 44, 60, 61, 74, 79, 80, 85, 86, 90). Think of something you have encountered in your line of work—this could be today, last week or a year ago. Read through the psalm and see if it describes your feelings. What words stand out to you? What images can you relate to? Use these words to express your own emotions to God. You may want to add some of your own prayers or petitions. Try making this a regular practice when you encounter something painful or difficult to process.