Try entering into lament with this three-part rhythm:
Part 1
Become present to the presence of God:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:10-11)
Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being- your body, mind, imagination, affections and emotions. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.
Optional prayer of approach: “Lord Jesus, bearer of God’s face to all, what a tragedy that we- breathed into being, made in your image- should be so quick to forget you. We are sick from the womb; a tangle of contradictions: crooked, pride-poisoned, death-bent. Even the kinship of covenant cannot keep us from wavering, wandering, withering. Will any one of us be fit for the glory ahead? In your mercy, scatter this deep darkness! Strike its messengers of fear and blindness! Save us from the gut of the grave…” (Sheltering Mercy, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 53).
Part 2
Slowly read from Psalm 53 (ESV) out loud: (for audio versions click here)
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
there is none who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven
on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
3 They have all fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
4 Have those who work evil no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?
5 There they are, in great terror,
where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Part 3
Pray your own lament psalm- for yourself, or on behalf of someone who is suffering in your world.
Describe the trouble in detail to God.
Express your honest emotions: "Lord, I am feeling sad about…; "… angry…; “… afraid…
Bring him your honest questions: "Lord, why….?; "How long, Lord, before you…?; "Where are you in…?
Make your plea to God: "Please, Lord…; "Remember back when you…; Do it again, Lord!”
The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 53 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.
from the album, ‘Chanting in the Language of Christ’ (2018) by Seraphim Bit-Kharibi. *Aramaic.