What God Says About Lament: A Biblical Overview

Honestly, there are times when I want to do nothing but grieve and complain to God. Then I’m reminded about the story of the Israelites in the Old Testament, how they constantly complained. And I stop, but God has graciously given us an outlet–lament.

The Bible views lament as a type of prayer that expresses grief or sorrow to God and asks for His help. The Bible is full of examples of lament, reminding us that God welcomes the brokenhearted. Through lament we can draw closer to God.

Let’s wonder what Biblical lament is, why it is essential, and how the Bible reveals God’s perspective on how we can grieve and complain to God appropriately.

What is a Biblical lament?

Lament is a type of prayer that expresses grief or sorrow during hard times and seeks comfort and understanding from God. These prayers are often honest, raw, and even shocking, allowing individuals to pour out their pain, suffering, and distress before the God.

Typically, key elements of prayers of lament include:

1. Expression of Suffering: Lament prayers begin with an honest and open expression of the pain, suffering, or distress experienced by the individual or community. This may involve describing the specific challenges or hardships being faced.
2. Questioning and Pleading: Lamentation often includes questioning and pleading with God, seeking understanding in the face of adversity and asking for intervention, mercy, or guidance.
3. Confession of Vulnerability: Individuals express their vulnerability and dependence on God. Lament prayers acknowledge human limitations and the need for divine assistance in times of difficulty.
4. Hope for Deliverance: Despite the anguish expressed, prayers of lament often contain a thread of hope. Individuals look to the divine for comfort, deliverance, and the restoration of hope in the midst of despair.

Lament, so common in the Bible, seems to be all but lost to Christians today. That is a tragedy. The world is no less wicked; no less in need of God today than yesterday or days long past. It is time for us to reacquaint ourselves with the prayer and the power of lament.

Let’s ask some questions about lament and use Scripture to wonder how God would answer them. Ready?

Is it okay to lament?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Yes, it is absolutely okay to lament. Grieving and lamenting is a natural part of life. The Bible shows us that God invites people to bring Him their struggles, pain, and questions. The book of Psalms contains over 40 laments. Plus, there is an entire book in the Bible dedicated to lamenting (Lamentations).

Does God call us to lament?

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12

Yes, God calls us to lament. He uses lament as way to help us process our pain and seek Him. In Joel 1:13-14, God explicitly calls on the people to lament, recognizing their sin and need for His provision. God want’s us to do whatever it takes to return to Him, including telling Him exactly how we feel.

In James 5:13, we are told, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.” Lament is a form of prayer that acknowledges our need for God in the midst of trouble. It is an act of faith, not despair, because it turns our hearts toward the One who can help.

What is the spiritual meaning of lament?

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4

Lament is an expression of spiritual grief. It gives us the means to cast our cares and burdens on God. Through lament we acknowledge God’s comfort and sovereignty. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. Lament teaches us to trust in His comfort and goodness, even when life is hard.

Why is it important to lament to God?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Lament guides us to go to the only one who can help. It deepens our relationship with God inviting Him into the darkness in our lives. Then the light of His glory can help us process grief and prevent bitterness.

Lament is important because it keeps us honest with God and ourselves. It allows us to express our doubts, fears, and questions without fear of judgment. When we lament, we are saying, “God, I trust You enough to be real with You.”

Bible Verses About Lamenting

The Bible is full of the prayer of lament. Lament is a type of prayer that help us express sorrow and grief to God. Often in situations that are painful, unjust, or a result of our sins.

But here’s the crazy thing, God hears our lament. He welcomes it and takes our pain seriously. Lament understands the reality that we live in a broken world and ask God to continue His goodness in the midst of it all.

Here are several key Bible verses about the lament in the Bible,

• Psalm 10:1: “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
• Psalm 42:11: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
• Psalm 56:18: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
• Jeremiah 9:10: “I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains, and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste so that no one passes through, and the lowing of the cattle is not heard; both the birds and the beasts have fled and are gone.”
• Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
• John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
• John 16:20: “Truly, Truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
• Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
• Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
• Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

These passages highlight the various stages of lament found in the Bible. So, we’ll talk about them next.

Biblical Stages of Lament

Prayers of lament typically follow a pattern in the Bible. Here’s an overview of the stages of lament.

Stage	Description	Example

Cry Out to God

An honest expression of pain or sorrow.

Psalm 22:1: “My God, why have You forsaken me?”

Seek Understanding and Ask for Help

Questioning and seeking God’s presence or help.

Habakkuk 1:2: “How long, Lord, must I call for help?”

Confess Trust

A statement of faith or hope despite the pain.

Psalm 13:5: “But I trust in Your unfailing love.”

Praise and Hope

Choosing to worship and trust in God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 42:11: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him.”

Prayers of lament move us through the stages from frustration to praise. From grief to acceptance. And ultimately they lean on God’s everlasting faithfulness.

The Bible also offers several tips for how to lament to God well. Here are some practical tips for lamenting.

• Be persistent: Don’t give up if God hasn’t answered your prayers yet. Keep bringing your pain to Him. If you don’t know how to respond when God doesn’t answer your prayers, then check out this article. It gives you nine ways that you can respond when your prayers go unanswered.
• Bring Complaints: It’s okay to tell God how you really feel. He can handle your honesty, anger, frustration, and confusion. He’s dealt with it all before. He’s dealt with Habakkuk’s confusion, Job’s anger, David’s frustration, and Peter’s honesty.
• Be Bold: We can and should approach God with boldness and confidence, knowing that God hears us. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need.”
• Bend to God’s Will: Lastly we need to choose to trust God. To yield to His plan, even if it doesn’t make sense to us. God is a good God. So, if it’s not good yet, then God’s not done.

Benefits of Lamenting

As we can see the Bible pictures lamenting as a means of not only expressing how we feel, but also of coming back to God in the midst of our brokenness. Lament, therefore, has profound spiritual and emotional benefits such as,

• Recognizes God’s Transcendence: Lament reminds of God’s sovereignty and control over everything. In lament we acknowledge that things are right, but we also come to the one who can make all things right.
• Teaches Trust: Lament teaches us to trust God’s plan, even if we don’t understand it. I am reminded of the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused of sexual harassment, and imprisoned. I’m sure he spent some time lamenting. But God raised him up to be the second most powerful leader in Egypt and save millions from famine.
• Reveals God’s Grace and Love: Lament allows us to experience God’s compassion and faithfulness in a deeper way. It empties us of our sorrows and grief so that we can be filled with God’s comfort, grace and love.
• Fosters Compassion: Lament helps us deepen our empathy for others who are suffering. We can lament for the great injustices of this world–hunger, human trafficking, etc. Lament reminds us to treat our neighbors the way we want to be treated, to view everyone how God views them.
• Follows Jesus’ Example: Lastly, lament gives us the opportunity for follow Jesus’ example. Jesus lamented as He was dying on the cross. He quoted Psalm 22, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Let us remember that Jesus is familiar with sorrow and pain. He knows what it is like. So, why not give him our sorrow and pain through lament.

Key Takeaways

Lament is a gift from God as way to process our sorrow, pain, and grief in a way that leads us to grow in faith and love, to grow closer to Him. It is not a sign of a weak faith, but a strong faith that understands that we can trust God in every circumstance.

God loves you, cares about you, and is there for you. God is a God who hears, cares, and responds. In a broken and sinful world, lament reminds us that our hope is not in our circumstances, but in God who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).

Let us revive the practice of praying prayers of lament, bringing our sorrows to the One who can turn mourning into joy. Lament is the God-given path to healing, faith, and joy that comes from trusting in God’s unfailing love.

“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.