Sometimes, even as we’re faithful to God’s leading, the pain is overwhelming; we’re discouraged and despondent, alone and abandoned. We look for answers and come up empty. We can easily exhibit the dysfunctions of: “don’t feel, don’t talk, don’t trust.” We look for God and it appears he’s nowhere to be found.
This type of response is known as a lament: a gut-level, honest, and painful prayer that states exactly how we feel. It’s a prayer that says, “I’m not okay with this!” As Pastor Manion reminds us in the video clip below, we frequently find prayers like this in the Bible. The Bible’s spiritual “heavyweights” prayed these prayers and so can we. They’re “legal” and necessary.
We identify with Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20.14-18) and we identify with David, the second king of Israel, when he writes, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever” (Psalm 13.1)? David holds nothing back as he wants answers and he wants them now!
But notice how this lament ends, “I trust in your unfailing love” (Psalm 13.5). In his pain, there is hope. At some point today, reflect on your most recent challenging situation and—like David—what you know to be true. Then write a lament. Use Psalm 13 as your guide and pray this prayer to God.
