A Lament in Times of Terror

It was a treacherous time during the late sixties. Half a dozen burly college men marched down the hill with torches, hell-bent on burning the ROTC building. We were next door at a faith sharing meeting. Four of us, mostly conscientious objectors, ran out to defend the building. Two stayed behind to beg for God’s help. That’s when it started pouring buckets of rain. God had arranged a standoff…

How do you respond to yet another violent attack, whether near of far? What about political mayhem or family emergencies? Do you feel like screaming or crying? Or do you feel numb? The book of Psalms is chuck-full of responses to terror that are called ‘laments’. This word comes from a Latin word meaning ‘to howl’ or ‘to mourn loudly.’ Some psalms literally groan and wail. Some whimper. And even though some sound like a feverish mind gone awry, they are also acts of faith because they are addressed to God. Are you ready to give God all the terror and human rubbish that disturbs you?

Step One: Choose one of these laments: Psalms 13; 22:1-11; 42:1-5; 130; or 142. Pray this psalm aloud and slowly. Then pray it again.

Step Two: Recall a difficulty that disturbs you. It can be anything, large or small, personal or global, anything that absorbs your thoughts and moves you to the edges of worry and fear. Now bring this difficulty into God’s presence by writing your own lament.

Greeting (or title for God):   _________________________

Describe the threatening situation in a few words: ________________________________________

Step Three: Step back and state God’s point of view (a scriptural image or a statement from the Creed might help): __________________________________________________________

Step Four: Ask God for help. Then add a surrender prayer:

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Step Five: Choose a psalm of trust and thanksgiving—Psalms16; 23; 34:1-10; 91:1-10; or 124. Pray it slowly. Then finish by reading this passage aloud:

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, (terrorism, political mayhem, extreme weather) or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.      (Romans 8:35, 38-39)

Adapted from Praying for our Adult Sons and Daughters

About Terry and John

John and Therese are Educators and Authors. At present, Therese is writing historical fiction, while John offers spirituality workshops online. Between them they have written many books. They both hold a Masters Degree in Religious Education and have worked for the Dioceses of Rockville Centre, NY; Trenton, NJ; and Worcester, MA. John and Therese are the parents of five and the grandparents of five.
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