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: “Who is my enemy, Lord? Who would snuff me out? Rob the life from my spirit? Does evil not go by many names? Accusation. Hatred. Despair. Chaos. Arrogance. Unfaithfulness. Fear. Pride. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may have strength to withstand, to vanquish terror and temptation- to partner with you in the undoing of the works of darkness.” (Endless Grace, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 83).
Part 2
Slowly read from Psalm 83(NLT) out loud: (for an audio version click here)
1 O God, do not be silent!
Do not be deaf.
Do not be quiet, O God.
2 Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies?
Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up?
3 They devise crafty schemes against your people;
they conspire against your precious ones.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation.
We will destroy the very memory of its existence.”
5 Yes, this was their unanimous decision.
They signed a treaty as allies against you—…
13 O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed,
like chaff before the wind!
14 As a fire burns a forest
and as a flame sets mountains ablaze,
15 chase them with your fierce storm;
terrify them with your tempest.
16 Utterly disgrace them
until they submit to your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever.
Let them die in disgrace.
18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord,
that you alone are the Most High,
supreme over all the earth.
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 83 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.
From the album, Come to Me (2018) by Wendell Kimbrough. wendellk.com