Prayer of Lament
So I guess it's about time to post again. I have been reading a book called "Prayer" by Phillip Yancey (thanks Jenkins') and there is a lot in there about the appropriateness of lament in prayers. Throughout the scriptures, especially in the book of Psalms, prayers of lament are recorded and included as part of the biblical text.
After reading this, I was trying to pray one morning, and I was continually distracted by all that is going on in this part of the world. Rather than try to ignore what I was thinking about, I pored it out to God and then decided to write down my thoughts.
So, I'd like to hear what you think about the appropriatness of such "prayers of lament." Is it really ok to talk to God like this. I am starting to think that it is, but I'm not sure. Well here is the prayer:
Oh Lord. You are the great King of Kings. All power in this earth is in your hands. Why do you allow humankind to continue to do evil in your name? Why do you allow the Christians of the world to justify injustice by declaring it to be the will of God?
You are big enough, God, to stand up for yourself. You have declared that we should not use your name in vain. Yet you simply watch as people are throwing dirt upon your holy character, pushing others away from you.
In Palestine, leaders use people for their own benefit. Like a man who is raising sheep, only to slaughter them to satisfy his gluttony, the leaders of Hamas and Fatah fight over the loyalty of the people so that they can become rich and powerful. They do so in your name, in the name of God. Why do you allow this? Why don't you stand up and force them into humility?
In Israel, oh Lord, the people of Palestine are treated as a gardener treats an unsightly Ant mound. Whole families are destroyed in an instant, and their lives are repudiated by the designation "terrorist." The men and women of Israel claim that your will is that Israel should be free of these "terrorists," and they commit evil acts to carry out this will. Why do you allow this? Why don't you make your true character known?
Lord you do not distinguish between Jews and Gentiles, all are one in You. Yet we do. All around the world, men and women who worship you and call themselves Christians stand by as the Army of Israel commits depraved acts. We cheer them on in your name. We say abhorrent things to justify their behavior. We give them money to build tanks, to buy guns, and to kill innocent people. We defame your name with our cursing of Arab and Muslim people. Why do you allow this? Why don't you come down here and shut us up?
Lord God, I can never understand your ways or your thoughts. I will never see the world from your point of view. Your are too big, too powerful, too God, for me to call you into question or to criticize your handling of the affairs of the world. But God, I really want to understand. Is your silence a model for us? Should we be silent as well in the face of injustice?
Or is your silence simply a temporary one; designed to leave room for us, your servants, to act?
Basem
After reading this, I was trying to pray one morning, and I was continually distracted by all that is going on in this part of the world. Rather than try to ignore what I was thinking about, I pored it out to God and then decided to write down my thoughts.
So, I'd like to hear what you think about the appropriatness of such "prayers of lament." Is it really ok to talk to God like this. I am starting to think that it is, but I'm not sure. Well here is the prayer:
Oh Lord. You are the great King of Kings. All power in this earth is in your hands. Why do you allow humankind to continue to do evil in your name? Why do you allow the Christians of the world to justify injustice by declaring it to be the will of God?
You are big enough, God, to stand up for yourself. You have declared that we should not use your name in vain. Yet you simply watch as people are throwing dirt upon your holy character, pushing others away from you.
In Palestine, leaders use people for their own benefit. Like a man who is raising sheep, only to slaughter them to satisfy his gluttony, the leaders of Hamas and Fatah fight over the loyalty of the people so that they can become rich and powerful. They do so in your name, in the name of God. Why do you allow this? Why don't you stand up and force them into humility?
In Israel, oh Lord, the people of Palestine are treated as a gardener treats an unsightly Ant mound. Whole families are destroyed in an instant, and their lives are repudiated by the designation "terrorist." The men and women of Israel claim that your will is that Israel should be free of these "terrorists," and they commit evil acts to carry out this will. Why do you allow this? Why don't you make your true character known?
Lord you do not distinguish between Jews and Gentiles, all are one in You. Yet we do. All around the world, men and women who worship you and call themselves Christians stand by as the Army of Israel commits depraved acts. We cheer them on in your name. We say abhorrent things to justify their behavior. We give them money to build tanks, to buy guns, and to kill innocent people. We defame your name with our cursing of Arab and Muslim people. Why do you allow this? Why don't you come down here and shut us up?
Lord God, I can never understand your ways or your thoughts. I will never see the world from your point of view. Your are too big, too powerful, too God, for me to call you into question or to criticize your handling of the affairs of the world. But God, I really want to understand. Is your silence a model for us? Should we be silent as well in the face of injustice?
Or is your silence simply a temporary one; designed to leave room for us, your servants, to act?
Basem
posted by Basem at 12:31 PM
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