“O LORD, how long? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? ” (Psalm 79:5). » of Friday October 6, 2023

Today we hear the communal lament of God’s people. I like prayers of lamentation; they seem the most raw and sincere of our prayers. This psalm reflects the images of injustice and sinfulness in the world today. We have all, if we’re honest, wanted to shout at the Divine Power that appears deaf to the chaos and evil present in the world. Even individuals of great faith are brought to their knees when prolonged illness, violent crime, or life’s random crises strike them or their families. Why doesn’t God intervene, now?

Prayers of lamentation are rooted in trust—God hears our cries, suffers with us, and offers the strength to endure life’s pain. When we forget to pray or cannot pray, God will still be with us. Friends and people we do not know will be praying with us and for us. Peace is in knowing God’s loving presence.