Lament
Lament isn’t a word we hear used often. Other related words are more common: grief, mourning, sorrow, sadness. Human beings all experience profound sadness or loss that cause us to cry out in anguish. Entire communities also lament. Much of the Old Testament was written during a time of forced exile and we find many examples of laments in the Bible, such as when Jesus lamented the death of his friend Lazarus and the state of his people.
Jewish and Christian faith connect lament and hope. Through studying this practice, participants will learn how the laments in the Old Testament express raw emotion, but also confidence that God is listening and will eventually set things right. For Christians, Jesus’ death was not permanent. God raised him from the dead, showing that the forces of life ultimately prevail. While much of American culture does not encourage lament, there can be healing in lament. Having recognized its value, our faith ancestors developed and utilized the ritual of lament both in public worship and personal prayers. This unit focuses on four practices in the ritual of lament, including name wounds, weep and wail, remember the crucified one, and dance between lament and hope.
Congregational Guide
The Congregational Guide provides materials for the pastor, educator, and church leaders to connect the practice with congregational worship and life.
Included in this guide:
Foundational Essay—written by a biblical scholar, these essays explore what each practice means and where it is found in the Bible.
Worship Helps—ways of incorporating this practice in worship through liturgy, song, and other suggestions.
Café Discussion Guide—self-guided, brief study for each practice.
Intergenerational Session—option for your church to have an event or explore the practice as a whole congregation together.
Curriculum Connections—information about what each age level is doing weekly.
Practicing the Practice at Home—a two-sided page for families about how to practice the practice at home.
Children’s Worship Leaflets—weekly two-sided page with practice ideas, games, an adapted Bible story, and a coloring picture.
