We lament the speed of our society, and the lack of depth, and the nature of disposable information. —David Ogden Stiers, Actor
LAMENT is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow; a song, piece of music, or poem expressing sorrow; or an expression of regret, or disappointment; a complaint. This Sunday, at 2PM in Washington Park Downtown, there will be a City-Wide Prayer and Prophetic Lament event. The last time we gathered in 2020, was to pray for the Country after the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Churches from all over came together for a time of lament, reflection, intercession, and worship.
We are facing perilous times, not just in the US but around the world. Nations are at war. Political tensions are high. People are struggling economically. Our children are not safe in schools. This is a time for the Church to repent for not being the kind of light we were meant to be in this dark world. We will direct our cares and attention to the only One who can do anything about what is going on—Jesus. Dr. Soon Chan Rah, in his book, Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times, writes:
Laments are prayers of petition arising out of need. But lament is not simply the presentation of a list of complaints, nor merely the expression of sadness over difficult circumstances. Lament in the Bible is a liturgical response to the reality of suffering, and engages God in the context of pain and trouble. The hope of lament is that God would respond to human suffering, that is wholeheartedly communicated through lament. The Book of Lamentations, whom many believe was written by the prophet Jeremiah, was originally named ekah, meaning “Alas!”—an expression of shock or bewilderment at a tragic event. Jerusalem had been overtaken and placed in Babylonian exile/captivity. Lamentations, like the book of Job, explores the question of suffering. While Job tackles the suffering of the innocent, Lamentations focuses on the consequences of sin. The prophet writes in Lamentations 1:1-3:
1Jerusalem, once so full of people, is now deserted. She who was once great among the nations now sits alone like a widow. Once the queen of all the earth, she is now a slave. 2She sobs through the night; tears stream down her cheeks. Among all her lovers, there is no one left to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her and become her enemies. 3Judah has been led away into captivity, oppressed with cruel slavery. She lives among foreign nations and has no place of rest. Her enemies have chased her down, and she has nowhere to turn.
In our modern context, we also experience the consequences of breaking God’s laws. Rampant crime and violence, greed, and obsession with self. The loss of purity, innocence, justice, and holiness. It is not just individual sins, but an atmosphere of godlessness about which we must intercede. To ask God to see us through to the other side; we must be honest about where we are now, and cry out to Him for mercy, grace, help, and intervention.
If you're in Cincinnati this Sunday, September 29th at 2PM, join us at Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street, for Prayer & Prophetic Lament.
Let not a libation of tears be the only offering at the shrine of Jesus; let us also rejoice with joy unspeakable. If we have need to lament our sin, how much more to rejoice at our pardon!—Charles Spurgeon, American Clergyman | 
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