There is so much to lament right now. In our own personal lives, and in the world at large. People who should be trustworthy have not been. There has been much harm inflicted on individuals and communities. The “wicked” have done too much. The ones who should have been protectors have done too little. These are exactly the kinds of times it makes sense to pray these sticky prayers—both the lament and the imprecatory psalms. And it particularly makes sense in communal settings right now—whether in church or groups of friends, or right here in this space—to come *together* and speak the words of lament to God’s heart. There is something powerful in knowing that there are others joining you in a prayer that you might not feel comfortable speaking alone (because of the rage or grief or confusion it contains). So, for today, let’s take this middle section of Psalm 6—which contains both lament and imprecation in the midst of everything the psalmist is (we are/our communities are) experiencing—and pray it (aloud, if you can!) together: Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks? I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer. What was it like to pray a lament, not only in the solitude of your own soul, but in concert with a community? Thank you for joining us in crying out to Love on behalf of a world that so desperately needs Love (which, yes, includes our own souls!).

Posted by Jamie Bonilla at 2023-02-01 15:34:41 UTC