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I recently heard on a podcast that 1/3 of the Psalms are Psalms of lament. That is people pouring out their hearts to God. Crying out to God from their pain and suffering. Their disappointments, hurt, anger and loss. God already knew what they were going through, but wanted them to come before Him honestly and to realize that it is safe to bear all to Him. God knows what we are going through and invites us to open up in His presence. And, as Paul says in Philippians 4:7, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
For all of us who feel afflicted and weak; neglected or abandoned, Psalm 102 is for us.
A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the LORD.
Hear my prayer, LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
But you, LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.
In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”
The roots of anger are many. Frustration and a feeling of powerlessness. Threats to self-esteem or identity. Unmet needs. Stress and feeling overwhelmed. Past trauma and unresolved issues. Sometimes it is a result of biological factors or is a learned behavior from childhood. Whatever its cause, it does harm to physical health and important relationships. For that, we lament.
Lament for the Angry
O Lord, hear my cry,
for the world is ablaze with anger.
From the streets filled with shouts of rage,
to homes where bitterness takes root,
anger spreads like a wildfire,
consuming hearts and minds.
Why, O Lord, is fury our companion?
Why do tempers flare and words wound?
Injustice and pain ignite the soul,
filling us with wrath and resentment.
We lash out, hurt others,
and in turn, hurt ourselves.
Merciful Father, we are trapped in this cycle,
our spirits darkened by unforgiveness.
We seek peace but are driven by conflict,
we yearn for love but are caught in hate.
Our anger isolates us,
estranges us from Your grace.
Jesus, You walked among us,
bringing peace to the troubled,
healing the wounds of the broken-hearted.
In Your presence, storms were calmed,
demons were cast out,
and forgiveness flowed like a river.
Teach us, O Gentle Shepherd,
to find solace in Your embrace.
Turn our hearts from anger to compassion,
from rage to understanding.
Help us to forgive those who wrong us,
as You forgave from the cross.
Fill us with Your Spirit,
that we may bear the fruits of peace.
Grant us patience in adversity,
kindness in response to cruelty,
and love that overcomes all hatred.
May Your light dispel the shadows within,
guiding us to walk in Your ways.
Transform our anger into a force for good,
a drive to pursue justice with mercy,
to seek reconciliation over revenge.
O Lord, we surrender our anger to You,
knowing You alone can heal our hearts.
May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
I have lived in Oaxaca, Mexico, for 19 years. Starting in February of this year, there has been bigger wildfires destroying forests and bringing suffering and death to many small mountain communities than I can remember. In February a huge fire burned the mountains in front of the home for needy children where I serve, and this last week a tremendous blaze burned for over a week in the hills behind the mission. Never seen anything on the size and scale of these infernos before. This seems to be a world wide trend according to recent headlines. This is lamentable.
Lament for the Destruction of Wildfires
O raging flames that devour the earth,
You who turn lush forests into barren wastelands,
Hear the cry of a wounded world,
Where beauty once flourished, now reduced to ash and ruin.
In the heart of the inferno, life perishes,
Wild creatures flee in terror, their homes engulfed.
Ancient trees, tall and proud, now stand no more,
Their whispers silenced by the roar of merciless fire.
O relentless blaze, why do you consume with such fury?
Why do you spread sorrow across the land?
Families weep for their lost homes,
Memories and treasures turned to dust.
The sky, once clear and blue, now chokes with smoke,
The air heavy with the scent of despair.
Communities are torn apart, neighbors scatter,
Seeking refuge from the relentless march of destruction.
We mourn the death of the innocent,
Lives taken too soon by your unyielding grip.
We grieve for the landscape, once vibrant and green,
Now a charred remnant of its former self.
O God, where is the solace in this fiery trial?
Where is the comfort in the face of such loss?
We lift our voices in lamentation,
Crying out for mercy, for healing, for peace.
Let the rains come to quench the flames,
To restore the land and renew the earth.
May new life spring forth from the ashes,
And hope rise from the devastation.
Hear our lament, O God of all creation,
Bring us strength to rebuild, to restore.
In the wake of fire, let your light shine,
Guiding us through the darkness, toward a brighter dawn.
May is AAPI month. AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islanders. It is a month to celebrate their achievements and culture. It’s also a time to remember some of the injustices they have suffered for over 200 years and to lament the way many of them were mistreated, especially during World War 2 when over 120,000 of them were interred in concentration camps throughout the United States. When I was younger I lived in California and remember talking to an older Japanese gardener who told me that after the bombing of Pearl Harbor he and his family had been forced to leave their home and live in a concentration camp in the Nevada desert. Years later I visited one such camp in Wendover, Nevada. It was a sad time in the history of our country. It is something to lament.
Lament for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
In the hush of twilight’s lingering sigh,
Echoes a tale of anguish, a bitter cry.
Asian sons and daughters, marginalized, oppressed,
Their voices drowned in a world obsessed.
Racism’s venom, a poison deep,
Steals dreams, erases hope’s gentle sweep.
From exclusion’s door to slurs unkind,
Humanity’s dignity left behind.
Oh, Japanese internment’s haunting wail,
A chapter of history we cannot veil.
In barbed wire’s embrace, innocence confined,
Freedom’s light dimmed, justice maligned.
Yet, in the face of bigotry’s cruel thrust,
Courage rises, resilient and just.
For in the heart’s depth, a fire burns bright,
To fight for justice with unwavering might.
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The podcast No Small Endeavor currently has interviews with two Asian Americans who share unique stories of grief and hope, for those who would like to learn more.
I suspect everyone reading this lament has suffered from a broken relationship that was romantic in nature. I have. I remember the wonderful feeling of being “in love” (which is more often than not, being obsessed or infatuated), and all the hopes, dreams, longings and expectations that come with that feeling. And then one day it is gone. Dreams are dashed and hope has gone to hell. Depression and despair set in and tears fall. Christians can feel the pain as much as anyone, but for the Christian, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Lament of the Brokenhearted.
In the stillness of this twilight hour,
My heart weeps, weak and without power.
O, how my life spins with inner strife,
And sorrow grips the core of my life.
Oh, the anguish of broken hearts,
Torn asunder by obsession’s darts.
Grief’s silent tears, a river deep,
Wallowing in sorrow, we have to weep.
I mourn for days of laughter gone,
Replaced by silence, a mournful song.
The pain of longing, a constant achen’
For solace, for peace; my soul’s forsaken.
Yet in the depths of this lamenting cry,
Hope flickers, like stars in the night sky.
For even in sorrow’s darkest hour,
God’s true love has lasting power.
So let us lament, but not despair,
For joy awaits; someone does care.
In Christ’s embrace, we find our balm,
And turn our lament into a healing psalm.
King Saul tried many times to kill David. Jonathan was David’s best friend. King Saul and his son Jonathan died on the battlefield and David grieved for both of them. Here is his lament taken from 2 Samuel 1.
“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
“You mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew or rain upon you,
nor fields of offerings!
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
“From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions.
“You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
“How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
“How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”
Today is International Day of the Woman. This lament and prayer is from the Salvation Army website and is for all women who have suffered in the past or are presently experiencing injustice and oppression.
This Franciscan prayer was originally written for International Women’s Day, and brings before God a lament for the plight of women in abuse, poverty and violence; forgiveness for our own discrimination, and hope for transformation through God.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace:
Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into ploughshares.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love:
We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take.
Where there is injury, pardon:
Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace.
Where there is division, unity:
Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world.
Where there is darkness, light; where there is untruth, truth:
Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment.
Where there is doubt, true faith:
We pray for all women who live in fear of their husbands, fathers, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith.
Where there is despair, hope:
We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope.
Where there is sadness, new joy:
Help us to see the strength and goodness in all women and men. Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people.
AMEN
Today is Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. There are a lot of lonely people out there, many with broken hearts, that will not be celebrating love, true love, but are despairing of ever enjoying a deep, intimate relationship, with anyone. For them I offer this lamentation and a prayer that through Lent, they will find the joy, peace and contentment that only our crucified and risen Lord can bring.
Lamentation for the Brokenhearted and Lonely
Oh, how the broken-hearted weep, In the shadows where loneliness creeps, Their souls heavy with sorrow’s weight, In the darkness where love meets fate.
Alone they wander, hearts laid bare, In search of solace, in search of care, Their tears like rivers, flowing deep, Midnight whispers secrets that they keep.
The ache within, a silent cry, As memories haunt beneath the sky, Each shattered dream, each shattered vow, Echoes of pain that linger now.
In solitude, they find their song, In the quiet, where they belong, But oh, the ache, the silent plea, For healing balm to set them free.
Prayer for Ash Wednesday and Lent:
Almighty Father, on this solemn day, We come before You, hearts in disarray, In the ashes of our brokenness, we kneel, Seeking Your grace, Your love to feel.
As Lenten journey begins anew, Grant us strength, courage true, To walk the path of sacrifice and grace, In Your embrace, find our rightful place.
Meditating, may we find sustenance for the soul, In prayer, may Your presence make us whole, In helping others, may we learn to share, The burdens of those in deep despair.
Bless us with Your mercy, Lord, we pray, Guide us through this Lenten day, Renew our spirits, heal our pain, In Your love, may we find gain.
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God will never leave us or forsake us and nothing can separate us from his love. Romans 8:38,39
Open Doors recently published its annual report on Christian persecution around the world. According to this report, more than 365 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. One in seven Christians are persecuted worldwide. 4,998 Christians were murdered. 14,766 churches and Christian properties were attacked. For those who suffer because of their Christian faith, we lament.
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Oh, Lord of mercy, we raise our voices in lament, For persecuted Christians, their trials unbent. In lands where faith invites the wrath of hate, They endure the darkness, bearing a heavy weight.
Amidst the shadows of persecution’s grim decree, They stand as beacons of light, steadfast and free. Their voices silenced, their freedoms stripped away, Yet, in the face of adversity, they kneel and pray.
In the depths of suffering, they find their strength, Their faith unwavering, no matter the length. Through trials and tribulations, they cling to You, Oh, God of refuge, their hope renewed.
As tears fall like rain in the night’s embrace, Their cries ascend to Your throne, seeking grace. Grant them courage, Oh Lord, in their darkest hour, A shield of faith, a fortress of Your power.
For they are blessed, though persecuted they stand, Their inheritance secure in Your promised land. In the midst of anguish, let Your love shine bright, A beacon of hope in persecution’s blight.
Romans 8:35, 37-39 (NIV): “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Open Doors lists the 50 countries in the world where persecution of Christians is most prevalent. Mexico was 37th worst in the world. I have lived in Mexico for almost 19 years and have heard many stories of Christians being persecuted. A few years ago I met a young man who father was killed for preaching the gospel. The rest of the family had to flee their little village and their house and property was taken from them. According to the report the persecution primarily happens in remote, mountainous communities where people are reluctant to change their ancestral ways and hostile to missionaries who try to evangelize and to those who convert, and also in areas controlled by drug cartels.
Foundation For His Ministry supports missionaries who try to share the Gospel in these areas. One of those missionaries is Mabel. She ministers in the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca. She recently told me about a plan to build a church in the small town of Tepanzacoalco. At first the community leaders were ok with it, but later told the small congregation that they could not construct a building and forbid Mabel to ever come back. She also told me about some believers in a little pueblo called Yagila, who had built a church, and that it had been burnt down by people opposed to Christianity.
Below is a prayer from Open Doors for persecuted Christians in Mexico.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible courage of our family in Mexico who speak out against violence and promote peace. Protect them, we pray, and continue to embolden them in their ministries. May their words and lives touch the hearts of criminal leaders, so they turn from violence and hatred to follow You. Strengthen the faith of those living in indigenous communities; encourage them with your love and show them how You are powerfully at work in their neighborhoods. May our sisters and brothers in Mexico not be despondent as opposition increases, but may they be empowered to grow in their faith and witness. Bring peace, justice and wise governance to all areas of Mexico. Amen.
Mexico highway 190 passes in front of FFHM’s home for needy children in Oaxaca, Mexico. For the last six months or so, hundreds of migrants from Central America and South America have walked down that highway making their way to the United States. Many are motivated to make the long trek by fear of dying in their homeland, oppression, economic downturns or simply a hope of a better life. I see mostly men, but also a lot of women and children, almost everyday, walking, walking, walking north, down Mexico highway 190. Here is a lament for them.
Oh, Sovereign God, we lift our voices in lament, For those who flee, in anguish, their homelands rent. In lands of strife, where war’s cruel embrace, Forces hearts to abandon, seeking a safer space.
In shadows of oppression, where fear takes its toll, Families shattered, dreams crushed, a heavy toll. They embark on a journey, through the unknown, Desperate souls, seeking a place to call their own.
Through perilous seas and treacherous lands they roam, Hoping for refuge, a glimpse of a welcoming home. Children, wide-eyed, their innocence scarred, By the harshness of a world deeply marred.
Oh, God of mercy, hear our solemn cry, For those who suffer, beneath the unforgiving sky. May your compassion guide them through the night, A beacon of hope, a source of eternal light.
Grant strength to the weary, solace to the pained, A haven of peace, where love is regained. In the midst of chaos, let justice prevail, And may the winds of freedom fill each sail.
May nations unite with hearts compassionate, To ease the burdens of those in a dire state. In this lament, we seek your divine grace, For a world where all can find a dwelling place.
Oh, Comforter Divine, embrace those in despair, Bring healing to wounds, and answer every prayer. In the symphony of sorrow, let hope resound, Until every refugee’s feet find solid ground.
“I was a stranger, and you took me in.” Matthew 25:35
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Lord God, help us to remember those who tonight will go to sleep unfed and unwelcome,
strangers in foreign lands, people who have fled for their lives and are far from their homes.
We lift up to you those who are escaping persecution and conflict, having fled death, torture or ruthless exploitation.
So many carry wounds, mental and physical. So many have suffered greatly.
Lord Jesus, give us more of your compassion for their plight, soften our hearts to their situation,
and help us follow your lead in seeking justice and mercy on their behalf.
We pray for an end to the wars, poverty and human rights abuses that drive desperate people to become refugees in the first place.
We give thanks for people working in troubled countries and ask for more of
your blessing so we can bring life, dignity and hope to those that remain.
We thank you that you are Lord of all the earth and all its people are loved by you.
We pray these things in the name of your Son who loves us and gave his life for us. For all of us.
To Enjoy God 