When I pray with my charismatic brothers and sisters, I feel like a dripping faucet next to a roaring waterfall. Jeremiah tells us to
CRY OUT! POUR OUT YOUR HEART LIKE WATER!
Our own Mary used this good image of how a waterwheel begins when water is poured into it:
We turn to Him with our lament, He fills us with His grace to trust, and we are moved forward to our next time of needing to lament and bringing our emptiness to Him.
Jeremiah, in Lamentations 2:19 says:
Cry out in the night!
Pour out your hearts like water!
Lift up your hands to him
for the lives of your children
who faint from hunger!
With help from Lamentations 2 and Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, let us, together, get water to get our waterwheels going!
Highlights:
A huge highlight for me personally was when Becky came on, a woman I met in a Bible study for resident’s wives and their friends forty-five years ago. We connected once since then when I was speaking in Oklahoma, but that was long ago as well. Becky is a fountain of wisdom and knows all about the lament. Her husband died suddenly at 52, and that was followed by the death of first one son, and then another. Her story is BIG and I’ll save it for another week during this study. But this is Becky’s family before she lost her husband and two of her sons.
Then you, as always had wonderful thoughts. I am thankful to several newcomers, who are trusting this group enough to pour our their hearts like water. And you, wonderful sisters, are joining them in earnest prayer..
I realize that it is dangerous to do highlights, for some may feel over-looked. I received a convicting e-mail a few months back from a woman who said I never commented on her post — though she was on for a long time. I looked — and it was true. I so need grace here — if I continue to miss you, know that God does not. I am asking the Lord if it is wise to do highlights, for there is in this the potential to hurt.
But, for now, I’m continuing.
Tammy Jo on learning from lament:
I have learned that God may not immediately change my circumstances, but He can give me the strength to endure. I have learned that in the same season there can be great sorrow and rich blessing. I have learned that some pain goes so deep, and brings such great damage, that only God can heal only God can speak into those places. I have learned that I don’t have to have the answers, that being there, just being present, can be comforting. I have learned that I don’t have to have the answers but just trust the God who gives and takes away.
Mary B on why suffering and lamenting has value:
It makes me think of the Velveteen Rabbit. Becoming Real means suffering and loss, but is so worth it because of love….we can savor life better for awareness of lament. When I worked hospice, we often told people that a terminal illness could be a blessing, because it gave people a chance to do all the really important relational things.
Diane on the danger of blaming others for our sin and suffering
Another lesson is the blindness of humans to blame each other and denigrate each other – one of the worst results of blame is genocides, such as the holocaust and also slavery. It seems unthinkable that anyone should blame another race of people for their own sins and to humiliate, mistreat and even eliminate them or enslave them; but it is sadly too common even today. We have seen it this year in North America in humbling and very sad ways through the murder of blacks and indigenous by the hand of police officers.
Susan on how awareness of the pain of others can help us do simple things
Susan
What are even small gestures that I can make to show others how loved they are? The other week at work, taking time to brush a patient’s dentures was a small act that I could do. Wouldn’t I want someone to care about if my teeth and mouth were clean?
Denise, a newcomer, who has suffered deeply, and brings a storehouse of wisdom because of it:
Grief from the death of someone with Alzheimer’s is often disenfranchised because everyone assumes you feel relief…but the truth is, even when she was not able to interact with life, I could still hold my mother’s hand.
And, as a Christian social worker in pediatric palliative care
I remember meeting with my old college friends, several I had not seen in 38 years. We all caught up with each other, but I felt a part of my life was hidden. How could I say, “Oh by the way, yesterday I sat with a woman for 12 hours holding her dead baby and crying primal sobs.” And when you deal with that every day, others whining and complaints seem trivial. I could relate a lot to what Mark said in this section. It is HARD to sit with someone in their pain, knowing there are no words, no wisdom of any value that you have to give but just a calming presence and sit in someone’s sorrow.
Lynn poured out her heart about the abuse she suffered as a child, and her parents’ closing their eyes to it. I thought she was so insightful as to why they did — their idols — so I was so thankful for those of you who prayed, pouring out your hearts like water.
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- What do you think it means to pour out your heart like water — are you gaining in your ability to do this through the lament?
Monday: God’s Perspective
Though we may feel shocked that our Father could pour such suffering upon His children, I have found what the Puritan Jonathan Edwards says so helpful. He explains that God sees us through two lenses: “the infinite complexity of the divine mind is such that God can look through a narrow lens or through a wide-angle lens.” In the narrow lens, He sees us as individuals, as cherished children. He knows our names, dialogues with us, and loves to give us joy. In the wide-angle lens, He sees His eternal plan to birth, rescue, and refine a “pure Bride.”
3. There is a great reversal of God’s behavior toward His children — see if you can find it in each of the following passages:
A. Once God covered Zion with blessing, allowed the building of a beautiful Temple as “His footstool.” (See Isaiah 60:13) Now what, according to Lament. 2:1?
B. Once God honored her princes, allowed her to be His mouthpiece (her horns), and protected her with His right hand. Now what, according to Lamentations 2:2-3?
C. One God was the friend of Israel, now what, according to Lamentations 2:4-5?
D. What are some of the ways He has shown His anger, according to Lam. 2:6-9?
4. Has God ever felt like “an enemy” to you? Looking back, is your perspective any different? Why or why not?
5. Does Jonathan Edwards’s thought on God looking through two lenses help you? Why or why not?
Tuesday: The Wisdom of Lamentations
6. The Lament is not only to help us pray our tears but to learn. Read, in Dark Clouds Deep Mercy, the section in Chapter 5 (in the book, page 5) under The Wisdom of Lamentations: Sin is the Real Problem and share your insights or comments.
7. Read the next section: My Sin and Suffering are Not The Only Problems and share your insights or comments.
Wednesday: We Watch the News So We Know How to Lament (Mark Dever)
At the risk of sounding political, I want to share two news reports to set us up to lament. I will tell you personally that I do not see a godly leader running for President and I am so conflicted. I see each candidate doing terrible things, yet also each supporting some good things. What do I do? I pray. I lament. The World and Everything In It had a program interviewing Mindy Belz, who has lived for years in these persecuted countries. Once many could find asylum in the United States, but now we have almost zero admittance to those in great danger. You can read or listen to this if you like, though my main point is to help us sit in the chair and lament for persecuted Christians.
https://worldandeverything.org/2020/07/u-s-turns-its-back-on-christian-refugees/
These executions happened on July 21st in Nigeria as a warning against converting to Christianity. Here is the information on the men:
The name of the Christian men who were murdered:
- Ishaku Yakubu, an aid worker from Chibok with Action Against Hunger was a member of the Church of the Brethren.
- Luka Filibus, an aid worker from Monguno with the International Rescue Committee was a member of the Church of the Brethren.
- Joseph Prince, a private security firm worker, was a member of the Redeemed Christian Church in Maiduguri.
The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said that the two other men executed worked with Nigeria’s State Emergency Management Agency and a company named Rich International.
8. Please sit in the lamenting chair and pour out your heart like water for our persecuted brothers and sisters, for their loved ones, and for our leaders.
Thursday: Let Your Tears Flow Like A River
9. Read Lamentations 2:10-22
A. What particularly moves you in this passage and why?
B. Pray Lamentations 2:19 either personally or for suffering in the world.
Friday: Lament Awakens The Soul
10. Read the last section in this chapter: Lament Awakens the Soul and share your insights and comments.
11. Lament here the pain your “false lovers” have brought you, and, if it is appropriate,
turn to God in repentance.
Saturday: Take-A-Way
12. Answer two of the reflection questions and share a take-a-way.
175 comments
Lamentations 2:10-22 What particularly moves you in this passage and why?
As I meditate on vs 19 today, the phrase “Lift up your hands for the lives of your children who faint from hunger.” grabs me in my heart and squeezes till tears come out of my eyes. I have lifted my hands in praise to God for He is worthy but this passage says to lift my hands up for my children. A month ago, one of my sons was so faint after complications post cancer treatment, that my prayer became a lifting him up ( with my hands raised up) and saying “Help!” He was literally faint from hunger (as vs 19 says). His wife was able to get him into the ER where he collapsed on the floor. Our heavenly Father heard our prayers and rescued him.
This morning, the lifting of my hands toward the Lord is only lamentations, groaning without words, for the people suffering in Beirut. The needs are so massive, Heavenly Father, help! In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen
11. Lament here the pain your “false lovers” have brought you, and, if it is appropriate, turn to God in repentance.
Oh Lord, I cry out to you for my daughter who is walking far from you. She has been deceived into believing she is a man and has been walking this way for 5 years now. How much longer will she walk in the land of the enemy? How much longer will she be deceived? I tried to bring her up in the way of the Lord but she has gone her own way. I confess I wanted her (and her dad) to love me and be the “perfect family”, making them an idol, to replace the lack of love which came from growing up with an alcoholic/mentally ill father and a mother who revolved around him. I would go back and change the past if I could, but I can’t. Please forgive me for my selfishness and for looking to them instead of You. I ask You to heal my daughter and bring her back of You. I trust and wait on You.
Saturday: Take-A-Way
12. Answer two of the reflection questions and share a take-a-way.
My take–away:
There is so much pain in the world, tears are often my companion lately. The more I study lament, the more I come to God in lament. I am thankful for a way to express my struggles and pain to God and then through His empowering, turn to Him through the remembrance of His faithful promises.
Yesterday we heard via social media that one of our former students (9 years ago) committed suicide. Painful wounds of other former students were opened and rubbed raw again as many took to social media to express condolences and their grievances about how the situation was handled. My daughter was really rattled by the news.
It is no wonder that Jesus was a man of sorrows. May we weep like Him as he looked at Jerusalem and wept. Weep for ourselves, our loved ones, our community, our children, youth, and elderly our nation, and the world.
Oh, Lord, you are our anchor for today and our hope for tomorrow.
3. There is a great reversal of God’s behavior toward His children — see if you can find it in each of the following passages:
A. Once God covered Zion with blessing, allowed the building of a beautiful Temple as “His footstool.” (See Isaiah 60:13) Now what, according to Lament. 2:1?
What once he made glorious, he has demolished and forgotten.
B. Once God honored her princes, allowed her to be His mouthpiece (her horns), and protected her with His right hand. Now what, according to Lamentations 2:2-3?
He has been without mercy toward Zion, withdrawn and consumed them with fire.
C. One God was the friend of Israel, now what, according to Lamentations 2:4-5?
He has become “like” an enemy — but it does not say that He IS their enemy.
D. What are some of the ways He has shown His anger, according to Lam. 2:6-9?
He has laid everything to waste, delivered them to their enemy, He showed no restraint, and Zion lost their leadership, loss of written revelation, and her prophets no longer found vision.
4. Has God ever felt like “an enemy” to you? Looking back, is your perspective any different? Why or why not? This was hard to answer. I’ve never really viewed God or felt like God was an enemy. And I have been through a lot. I do remember in childhood through my early twenties, I struggled with my concept of God. I grew up in a very legalistic environment. It was very hard to believe God loved me as I believe His love was conditional and I could not live up to all the do’s and don’t’s perfectly. I was taught that Christian perfection good be achieved. It got to the point of developing scrupulosity. But I did not view God as an enemy, but viewed myself as the problem to the point that I walked away from trying. Fortunately, a Christian counselor (and he was not a Christian counseling agency) assisted me greatly with this. I have times when this creeps in from the enemy, but God reminds me of Who He is and of His grace.
5. Does Jonathan Edwards’s thought on God looking through two lenses help you? Why or why not? I like this analogy as a photographer. I can make a photo look drastically different based on the lens and focal length. I can control what is seen and what is out of view. I read once in an old Campus Life magazine (who knows it could have been written by Tim Keller or Phillip Yancey) that we can only see today’s snapshot, but God has the entire movie as His perspective.
Love your answer to #5…
“we can only see today’s snapshot, but God has the entire movie as His perspective.”
6. The Lament is not only to help us pray our tears but to learn. Read, in Dark Clouds Deep Mercy, the section in Chapter 5 (in the book, page 5) under The Wisdom of Lamentations: Sin is the Real Problem and share your insights or comments. I couldn’t agree more. Sin is serious…sometimes more serious than I take it at times. I am currently in a fiery trial at work, which I have sustained over years but it has gotten exceedingly hotter these past months. There’s baggage and pathology among the other characters in this scenario…some come from the sins of their fathers and grandfathers going back 3 to 4 generations; however, I have to continually come to God to confess and ask for cleansing so that my heart attitude is as it should be. It’s been a long trial, and I’m just trying to get to retirement, but there’s enough sin to go around.
7. Read the next section: My Sin and Suffering are Not The Only Problems and share your insights or comments. The wages of sin are death. And our world continues to decay from the cost of our sin. Our country, the United States, is being corroded by the sin seen in so many. Evil is real. Satan continues to seek whom he may devour. We’re watching his acts daily as this “shining city on a hill” is being torn apart.
8. Please sit in the lamenting chair and pour out your heart like water for our persecuted brothers and sisters, for their loved ones, and for our leaders.
To the God sees…the persecution of your own feels immense and so great an issue that it is hard to know how to pray. Even of late, it feels as if soon Christians will no longer be safe in this country. I pray for the protection of those at great risk, and yet they continue to be faithful. I pray for the policies of our government not to abandon those who are truly in great danger. Between illegal immigrants and abuse of refugee status, the consequences have been of a pendulum that has swung too far the other way. I pray for your unlimited grace on those who are in prison for Jesus’ sake and those who are under immense torture. Somehow make your incredible presence known to them in a supernatural away that they know they are not forgotten by You and by their brothers and sisters in the United States. We know you see them! We know that You are in control. We know that You love them. I ask that You show me my part…what I should do as a part of Your outreach. We trust You and know that You will make all things right, if not in this world, in the world to come.
9. Read Lamentations 2:10-22
A. What particularly moves you in this passage and why? I was moved by what our sins and failures cost our children. The grief that adult sins are brought on to children. I think about how my own failures have cost my children in some way, some of which they may not even be aware. I am moved by the ripple effect of sin and how the consequences are certain. I am grateful for the times that God does not treat us as we deserve because of God’s mercy. I never want to take that mercy for granted.
B. Pray Lamentations 2:19 either personally or for suffering in the world. We knew that this is the way it would be before You came, but how do we endure? How do we live in a world where we are more like exiles than citizens? How do we defend what is good when the world sees good as evil? Where do we go when every day feels like we’re being gaslighted by society? Forgive us for being silent and allowing the enemy to get a foothold in this beautiful country of ours, even as much to lock the doors of refuge that are persecuted for Your sake. Forgive us for being timid and meek and not standing up for the right in a real way. The persecution of Christians in the United States has already begun, proclaiming our faith and having it labeled “hate speech,” and seeing churches torched. Forgive us for becoming comfortable in our little bubbles of sanctuary in our churches and not putting the hymn “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus” into practice when we are outside of those walls. We know that persecution brings about purification and that You want a bride without spot or blemish. Keep us faithful and close to you, no matter what comes. You are the God who sees…help us to see You, as well.
This was so well articulated and expressed Denise, told the way that it is. I join you in agreement with your prayer.
10. Read the last section in this chapter: Lament Awakens the Soul and share your insights and comments. I love the first sentence in this section, “Lament is one of the ways that a heart is turned to God’s perspective.” My temperament is one that for me to buy in to something, it has to make sense. And so that can become a struggle for me when there seems to be no sense in what I see going on…that God is actually in it. That is where lament comes in, because through lament, I don’t have to know the final ending or how this fits into what I’ve prayed about…it turns me to Scripture and what I know that I know that I know to be true. And I can buy in because of trusting in Who God is and His character.
11. Lament here the pain your “false lovers” have brought you, and, if it is appropriate, turn to God in repentance. I have to admit that my false lover tends to be security and comfort…and to obtain those things, I run to distractions and activities to numb my feelings, to quiet the committee in my head, and to settle me. I need to repent but right now my energy is waning. I will do so in my journal.
My energy is waning too. My lease ends this month so I am moving and not all of the pieces have fallen into place yet. But Denise you have expressed many of my own thoughts and prayers on the important and urgent issues that have been posted this week.
12. Answer two of the reflection questions and share a take-a-way. (6) Do you agree that we tend to over-individualize suffering? Why is that the case? How does Lamentations help us to change that? We live in a very individualized society and from the time we come out of the womb, “it’s all about me.” Out of our own selfishness and pride, we tend to view the world through a micro lens versus a wide-angle lens. At age 63, I see this has becoming increasingly an issue than in the past. We are more likely to say “why me?” versus “why not me?” The first two chapters of Lamentations shows how God’s wrath was necessary to reclaim those He loved. He knew this was essential and He was not be mocked. He was reclaiming His name and His holiness to Israel in order to spare them and continue with His providence.
(7) What are some practical steps–like confession–that you could take to allow lament to remind you what lies underneath our lives? I think confession is huge. I am grateful that that is part of the “ask” in lament, the act of confession and asking for forgiveness. I think of the verse in Psalms 51 that says “Search me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way in me…” (paraphrased) It’s me, me, me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer! I also believe that praying Scripture (part of the trusting section of lament) is very powerful and reminds me that it is not all about me. I wrote about the toxicity in my office and how it is coming to a painful and awkward head that has just put my guts in a knot…through lament I know that God is doing a real work in the middle of the chaos. That brings to me a phrase in another song, “And even though He doesn’t move in the way I think He should, I’m confident that He is working all things for my good and I will stand upon His word, for He is able.”
Takeaway: The bottom line is, while we are only half way through this study, I don’t believe I will ever pray or view the Lord the same was as I did before I knew about lament. It continues to be SO rich!
Denise, Such truth! How this also spoke to me just now: “…God’s wrath was necessary to reclaim those He loved.”
Denise — your laments have been so good!
10. Lament awakens the soul:
Mark says that in our culture we can react with anger, bitterness, and even apathy- that is, if we focus on the events.
By lament over the sins in our life we can move from complaint to trust. This will help to fight the temptations in our life.
We do live in a broken world and we need to wake up to the spiritual needs and to the holiness of God.
11. Lament the pain for false lovers
Oh Father, Almighty God, As I have allowed myself to follow after the desires of the flesh, I see the emptiness of what the world values.
I have sought after security, comfort and success only to see that these are not lasting. The job that brought my security is over, the values that I placed on success no longer satisfy. I worked for recognition and approval and in a flash these are not adequate. The relationships that seemed so important: the friendships were no longer possible for people grow apart so quickly.
Father, you are my all in all. You are more precious than all the worldly values. Your steadfast love is the true value that I need. Your faithfulness is everlasting. You know my needs, you know what truly satisfies. You are holy and eternal. I look into your word and find peace and hope. For you have always guided me and protected me from my fickleness and my selfish ways. Thank you for your forgiveness and for teaching me what is truly important: to live humbly and to be merciful and just. May I finish the race well and serve you faithfully. I pray in the name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen
Reflection questions
2. What lessons have you learned from the house of mourning?
Ecclesiastes 7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning. Well, I look back over several months of mourning with my neighbor and I see that through the pain there is the depth of trust in God to work all things for good. I see her faith growing and her kindness to others is very heartwarming. We have come together in prayer and tears over the loss. I mourn the loss of a carefree existence of coming and going and have found a deep joy in what God has provided. Life becomes deeper and richer when I turn from the daily pleasures to more satisfying endeavors.
I know that this life is not enough and that God’s wide angle lens includes a forever view.
4. What are some ways that lament can reorient my thinking about the world and myself?
Well, the first problem we have encountered this year is the devastating effect of illness. I can look at this situation and no longer say, oh, why is this happening and what is it going to do to me personally and to my family. I will now consider that this is a fallen world and the sin and evil is underlying everything. Yes, we will encounter illness, we will have to mourn loved ones and neighbors and this is a time to show greater love and compassion. It is a time to speak boldly and urgently as the opportunity comes, to share my faith and the goodness of our Savior who lived among us and gave so much to pay the price for our sins. Yes, it is a slow change for me as I still have selfish desires. But I
will lament for the painful situations. And I will think of the song Nila shared, He will rescue me.
6. Sin is the Real Problem and share your insights or comments. Its good to recognize that sin and rebellion is the real problem.
7. Read the next section: My Sin and Suffering are Not The Only Problems and share your insights or comments. “Lament gives you eyes to see the brokenness around you.” The idea that Lament not only is a bridge from our own pain to the peace and love of God but for us to build a bridge to others pain as well to the grace of God.
8. Please sit in the lamenting chair and pour out your heart like water for our persecuted brothers and sisters, for their loved ones, and for our leaders.
Oh Eternal God, ancient of days, morning star, we lift our heads to you, the stars are the work of your fingers, and you know them by name. You heavenly father see the course of history, the blood and death flow unceasingly and we are adrift in seas. There are chaotic and overwhelming waves of darkness and hate. How can we even utter the evil that is done under the sun. The evil that rips life away, The poison that flows through man’s hearts and mind, blinding him to light and goodness. Oh God you know their names, Ishaku Yakubu, Luka Filibus, and Joseph Prince, those names are written in the palms of your hands. Those names like mine are in your book of life. You knew them in their mother’s wombs. You do not forget the first breath they took, and with their last breath they glorified you, if not in word, surely in deed. Please Lord let their deaths be redeemed, that many would come to you, that your kingdom would grow. Oh cause our American church to see beyond ourselves, to see our brothers and sisters who are persecuted and we would be burdened by the heart of Christ to intercede for persecuted family. May our hearts be joined in intercession to your glory. Praise you father for you have said in Revelation that you will avenge and judge the world on behalf of the martyrs.
· 9. Read Lamentations 2:10-22
· A. What particularly moves you in this passage and why? Children dying, those that were cared about or reared by the author are lost. The idea that children would die in the day of Lord is hard to swallow.
· B. Pray Lamentations 2:19 either personally or for suffering in the world.
· Arise my brothers and sisters, as our every day schedule unfolds, cry out to the Lord for the lost, the lonely, the fearful and the suicidal!
· Pour out the heart of God through your mind, your mouth, and your life! In the presence of the Lord plead for the lost amongst us. Intercede for their very lives. Plead for the children of your neighbor, your fb friend, your coworker. They faint for the hope of the gospel, they fade away without the truth of our hope. These precious ones are on every corner of our daily lives. Turn our hearts outward God to see the lost.
· 10. Read the last section in this chapter: Lament Awakens the Soul and share your insights and comments. It was impactful for me that if when things get hard and rough we react worldly or fleshly then we revealing a love affair with the world.
· 11. Lament here the pain your “false lovers” have brought you, and, if it is appropriate, turn to God in repentance.
· Father God, I am a fool. Continually I wrestle with turning to mind numbing activities that keep me from really dealing with my pain and sorrow. How I want to run away from the pain, I know social media, tv, movies and books don’t take away the pain it just prolongs and makes worse the emotions I am running from. Forgive me God My heart desires freedom from negative emotions it doesn’t want to look at the hard and difficult things that trouble me. Please oh Lord give me strength by your Spirit to turn away from worthless things. Please help me to find relief in your presence. You are my creator God who knows my weakness and loves me. Praise you God for you have been good to me!!
6. Sin is the Real Problem and share your insights or comments. Its good to recognize that sin and rebellion is the real problem.
7. Read the next section: My Sin and Suffering are Not The Only Problems and share your insights or comments. “Lament gives you eyes to see the brokenness around you.” The idea that Lament not only is a bridge from our own pain to the peace and love of God but for us to build a bridge to others pain as well to the grace of God.
8. Please sit in the lamenting chair and pour out your heart like water for our persecuted brothers and sisters, for their loved ones, and for our leaders.
Oh Eternal God, ancient of days, morning star, we lift our heads to you, the stars are the work of your fingers, and you know them by name. You heavenly father see the course of history, the blood and death flow unceasingly and we are adrift in seas. There are chaotic and overwhelming waves of darkness and hate. How can we even utter the evil that is done under the sun. The evil that rips life away, The poison that flows through man’s hearts and mind, blinding him to light and goodness. Oh God you know their names, Ishaku Yakubu, Luka Filibus, and Joseph Prince, those names are written in the palms of your hands. Those names like mine are in your book of life. You knew them in their mother’s wombs. You do not forget the first breath they took, and with their last breath they glorified you, if not in word, surely in deed. Please Lord let their deaths be redeemed, that many would come to you, that your kingdom would grow. Oh cause our American church to see beyond ourselves, to see our brothers and sisters who are persecuted and we would be burdened by the heart of Christ to intercede for persecuted family. May our hearts be joined in intercession to your glory. Praise you father for you have said in Revelation that you will avenge and judge the world on behalf of the martyrs.