A Workshop on Lament

Lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust

Two main questions:

1. “Where are you, God?”
2. “If you love me, why is this happening?”

The pattern of lament

1. Address God (Psalm 77)
   1. Pray your struggles
   2. Pray your questions
   3. Let prayer turn you toward resolution
   4. Pray the Gospel
   5. Lament by faith that God is good
2. Pray your complaints
   1. Incomprehensible questions
      1. Psalm 10:1; 22:1; 44:23-24; 88:14; 35:17; 137:4
   2. Frustration (Psalm 73:1-14)
   3. Godly complaining: humble, biblical, honest
      1. Matt. 27:46
3. Ask (boldly)
   1. Cross the “yet bridge” (Psalm 22:1-10)
   2. Ask God to work
      1. Psalm 10:12; 60:11-12; 25:6; 83:16-18; 51:1; 80:3
4. Choose to trust
   1. Psalm 13:5-6