On Stormy Banks We Stand...
Contemplating and Acting
Image from the post,
Summer’s Bookends (Memorial Day and Labor Day) Reconcile Mary and Martha
Of course, I pray for all those touched by these crises (and so many other tragedies, all around us): for families and for first responders – all of whom have been impacted in so many ways. Though hope is dwindling, I ache for word of some more individuals being found… alive.
But, there’s a more particular prayer I find myself drawn to these days — a prayer form caught up in the word, “lament:” sounding my/our grief, sorrow, and questions up and out to God.
To be sure, it can be a dangerous or scary prayer — especially, if you air such sentiments publicly. Some folks, you see, do not or will not understand or appreciate any sense of questioning or being mad at God.
“Lament: A Prayer for Times Like These” is just of many online resources unpacking the nature, content, and value of lament. Click here to download this pdf resource from the Trauma Healing Institute:
How to Lament — Trauma Healing Basics
Truth is, though,…
- It [lament] is Biblical. (Depending on who you read, 30 to 40% of the Psalms are [personal or communal] laments in nature. By far, they constitute the biggest category or prayer form among the Psalms. In fact, Jesus had one such Psalm on his lips – praying from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Ps 22:1])
- It is life-giving. (There are plenty of articles out there about the benefits of “letting it out” and “having it out” [even with God] –naming and sharing your emotions amidst all sorts of traumas and crises.)
Googling around, I found a poem written by Paul Janssen — addressing feelings that surrounded the tsunami that struck Japan a few years ago. It best captures the lament stirring in my soul these days. Tempted I was/am to change some of the words to better fit the hill country situation. But, I have chosen to keep his words intact – leaving any transposing to the reader:
“In Times Like These”
(can be sung to the tune, St Columba [“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”])
In times like these, we strain to sing a hymn of exaltation.
Our voices fill with bitter tears; our souls, with lamentation.
The seas have swelled; we wonder where you were ‘midst nature’s violence.
We long to sing with joy and praise, but shudder at your absence.
Creating God, you spoke your Word and guided this world’s making.
Where was your voice to turn the tide, to calm the deep earth’s quaking?
We have no words to understand the scope of human sorrow.
So speak through us and give us strength to make a new tomorrow.
Redeeming Christ, you raised your hand, and winds and waves were quiet.
But now we see no miracle when oceans go ariot.
The tidal wave rekindles fears, reminds us of our weakness.
Awake, O Lord, and calm our souls! Cast out despair and bleakness!
O Spirit, once you brooded o’er the face of formless waters.
So comfort those whose lives are rent, who’ve lost their sons and daughters.
And stir our hearts, though numbed by pain, to newfound depth of feeling.
And make us agents of your love, your grace, your hope, your healing.
But, in addition to such contemplation, there’s action: doing something… and doing something now! Here, at the very least, in the case of recent floods, there’s making a monetary donation to a reputable agency operating in the areas impacted. For our part, Kathy and I have made a contribution to the United Methodist Church and churches working in the area through this link: The Texas Annual Conference Disaster Relief
To be sure, the recent floods in the hill country are just one of many natural and human-made disasters that fill our existence. Cumulatively, it can all feel overwhelming – threatening to sweep us away in a flood of despair and anxiety.
Thanks be to God for spiritual practices of contemplation and action – lifelines (for others and ourselves) amidst the many storms of life and living.