In the 150 biblical songs found in the book of Psalms, there are fifty-eight laments. Forty-two are psalms of individual lament, and sixteen are written on behalf of a community or nation. Each lament appeals to God for mercy and assumes a measure of confidence of God’s character and God’s intimate interest in our welfare. Take a look at the psalms or find a passage of scripture from your own tradition that speaks to the pain of loss and the comfort of God.
Writing your own prayer of lament can allow you to put into words all the feelings that you have about your loved one’s death or about a national or global crisis in which many lives are lost. It can help you stay attuned to the feelings of loss and fear and anger rather than become numb to them.
Prepare: Get ready to write your own lament by centering your heart and mind with the following breath prayer or one of your own.
Inhale: God of truth and grace,
Exhale: Encourage me to be honest.
Turn to God: Read Psalm 77:1–3 several times. Then, in your journal or on a piece of paper, write your own turning toward the Divine.
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that God may hear me…
Complain to God: Read Psalm 13:1–2 and then write your complaint.
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?…
Ask God for what you want: Read Psalm 13:3 and write your request.
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.
Write an affirmation of trust: Read Psalm 13:5 and write your own sense of trust.
But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.