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There is an ache in my soul. I’m trying to be positive… trying to be encouraging to those I am around… trying to calm my spirit lest I start crying and can’t stop.
My God has been faithful again and again. What is different about this time? This time it involves the whole world. We aren’t at war like WW I and WW II, but we are certainly in crisis. The widespread trouble has gotten our attention, finally.
So what do we do now? Maybe it is time to lament. If there was ever a time to do what David did on several occasions it is now. Here is one of his laments below. I have listed a few more in the “For further study” section.
Psalm 13
How long will thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Notice that laments follow a pattern. They usually start with utter discouragement and invariably they end with a change of heart and mind, looking to the God of their salvation.
I would encourage you to write your own lament.
Here are a few questions to get you started.
- Have you been through a crisis or life changing event? What have you lost as a result of what happened? Be as thorough as possible. Don’t minimize the loss. Don’t pretend there wasn’t a loss. Be honest in your assessment. What do you still struggle with?
- Bring this list to God. Tell Him what you are thinking. Face this with Him. Cry out to Him. Ask Him any questions you have been afraid to ask.
- Be quiet before God. Let His Word speak to you.
- Take the things you have written here and write your own lament psalm. Use the outline in the link below as a guide.
I’ll check back with you in a few days. I need to go work on my lament.
For further study: Psalm 22, 28, 44 & 69
Windows of His Grace 
Thank you Karen. A friend from my church also recently shared how to lament biblically by using Psalm 13 as a guide. I am certainly keeping this outline to help as life throws its challenges and disappointments. God really wants to hear from us and what better way than to use Scripture as a base for our prayers.
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There are lots of laments in the Bible. I try and mark them every time I find one. I agree, God does want to hear from us. So thankful He gave us His written word.
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