Learning to lament
Lamentation, a prayer for help coming out of pain, is very common in the Bible. When we hurt physically, we cry out in pain; when we hurt spiritually, we cry out in lament. A Psalm of Lament is an address to God: a complaint, a request, and usually an expression of trust. Types of complaints include: concerns with the psalmists own thoughts and actions, concerns with the actions of an enemy or prevailing attitude, and concerns with God’s action or inaction. They are cries of despair, anger, protest and doubt. They are the largest class of psalms and were a normal part of Israel’s praise and worship. There are communal psalms of lament and individual ones.
They follow this general structure:
Address and introductory cry: Identify the Lord as the person to whom the Psalm is addressed.
Complaint or Lament : Articulate the problem and ask the Lord for help. Express the emotions and struggles of heart
Confession of Trust: Verbalize your trust in the Lord. Preach the gospel to yourself and tell yourself the promise of God.
Prayer for Deliverance: Request deliverance, or God’s intervention in the problem. Seeking wisdom and surrender to God’s will.
Praise: Offer praise and thanksgiving to God for God’s many blessings. Renewal of faith and trusting God in the dark (Isaiah 50:10)
Not all the Psalms complete this process. See Psalm 88 for example. The life of faith is messy. Also read the whole book of Job.
Psalm 4
Address and introductory cry – Turning to God
1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Complaint or Lament – Frustration, anger, questions, doubts, and struggle
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Confession of Trust – Sometimes following the request for help and sometimes before, or both. Also sometimes self-talk reaffirming faith.
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Prayer for Deliverance – Request for help and understanding
4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
Praise – Affirmation of renewed trust in the Lord
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Application
Take some time and reflect on how the last week (or a time frame of your choice) has been for you. Make note of the predominant emotions you have been feeling during this time, in particular the more negative ones. Reflect on a particular situation or recurring theme that you know has been causing you distress, pain or anxiety and that you feel is beyond your control. Imagine that God is with you and that He has given you complete freedom to lay it all out, to complain fearlessly without judgment, in order to get it all off your chest.
With a piece of paper and pen, invite God’s presence and follow the steps outlined below.
Address and introductory cry: Identify the Lord as the person to whom you are addressing your complaint. Request for His presence as you express what is on your heart. Turn towards the Lord in sincere prayer!
Complaint or Lament: Articulate the problem you are wrestling with. Detail how it is affecting you, the pain it is causing, and ask the Lord for His help. Express any doubts you have, confusion, questions, frustration, or anger.
Confession of Trust: Verbalize your trust in the Lord. Share your hopes that He will come to your aid, that He will be present with you in your situation. Talk to yourself about the character and promises of God. Preach the gospel to yourself.
Prayer for Deliverance: Request deliverance, or God’s intervention in the problem. Ask for wisdom to understand what you are going through. Ask for strength to endure. Surrender to the will of God.
Praise: Offer praise and thanksgiving to God for God’s many blessings and faithfulness in the past. Renew your confession of faith. Tell the Lord you will trust HIM in the dark. [1]
Great Book on learning to Lament.[2]
Dark Clouds and Deep Mercies. By Mark Vroegop
[1] Individual psalms of Lament include: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9-10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 88, 89, 120, 139, 141, 142.
Corporate psalms of Lament include: 12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129.
[2] Dark Clouds and Deep Mercies online - https://media.thegospelcoalition.org/private/Dark-Clouds-Deep-Mercy.pdf