Lament
June 11 2020
By Nora Cunning, Pastoral Assistant and Media Support
“Our God, will not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are fixed on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
In just a few months our nation has faced tremendous devastation with COVID, and in the last few days following the injustice over George Floyd’s death, our country has erupted in unrest. I have spent many hours glued to my screen watching the videos and reading the updates. I am frozen, speechless, and undeniably grief-stricken. The images replay in my mind, and I experience waves of boiling anger and overwhelming hopelessness.
Part of my job at First Prez is the church’s social media management, and as most of you know, social media is a mixed bag of every side and no filter. I find myself debating everything I post because this is such a sensitive time. As someone planning to work in the ministry, I really feel this is where God placed me in this season to show me this need within His church and the importance of this ministry.
In order to stay healthy and strong as a Christian, I must hold myself accountable and reflect on the feelings I am having in response to everything that is going on. If I don’t do this I might just explode! More than just my normal routine of praying, reading the Word, working out, and talking it out, this time I think there might be something more I need to do. I have to lament.
I need to lament for my nation. I know this to be true because there are many examples of people lamenting in Scripture, from kings to prophets and even our Savior Jesus, who cried out to God the Father from the cross, "Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani," which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15: 34, Psalm 22:1)
The biblical response to the turmoil we are facing as of late is to lament. Cry out to Jesus. Jesus who advocates to His Father on our behalf. Jesus, died and suffered alone, so that we don’t have to. We don’t have to suffer alone, and we can cry out to Jesus. We should also acknowledge the family we each have in Jesus, our brothers and sisters in Christ, because together our prayers are our most powerful weapon.
We must lament in our grief, in our sadness, and especially in our anger, so that we do not lash out and do more damage than good. If we can be obedient in this, I have full faith that the God we know and trust will honor it.
I want to conclude with Ephesians 6: 12 -18 because we must remember there is an enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus has already defeated him and has equipped us with the weapons we need.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Prayer: Father, as I cry out in the fray of the battle that is greater than flesh and blood, my hands are extended beside me and I am grasping my family in Christ, holding on to them, with gritted teeth and tears streaming down my cheeks. I am crying for our nation, for those who have been oppressed, unrightfully persecuted and executed because of hate. Lord, our world is burning and our people are not resting, and we are grieving for your creation. Please, please, oh Lord, forgive us our sins and help us forgive the sins of others against us and against your children. I am begging you, please bring us rest, bring us peace and bring us truth like only you can. Protect all people and forgive all people. I pray Your word would be heard by every ear and spoken in every tongue to the ends of the earth. I pray Your love would find a way the way it always does. I love You, my righteous Redeemer. In your Holy Son Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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