Lent Meditation

Reading:

“Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.”

~Psalm 5:1-2

(pause)

Reflecting:

46How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?

How long will your wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how fleeting is my life.

For what futility you have created all humanity!

48 Who can live and not see death,

or who can escape the power of the grave?

49 Lord, where is your former great love,

which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

~Psalm 89:46-49

The hard truth is this: struggle and hardship are important expressions of spirituality.

Being able to lament (passionate expression of grief or sorrow) brings a deeper more honest relationship with God. We can, without shame or feeling small, present our anger and frustration in a raw form before God. There is relief in being able to be honest to God knowing he listens, cares, and will hear us.

- How does it feel to be honest with God about what is happening in your life and the world?

- What does it look like or sound like to lament before God?

- What do you need to tell God honestly? (personal reflection)

(pause)

Wondering

It’s natural to ask God for help or intervene in our lives when there are problems and struggles. As a person of faith, it’s instinctual to go to God for these things asking to make them go away. Interestingly, more than half of the Psalms invite us to tell God (lament) in an honest way in the middle of the mess and unresolved pain and sorrow.

Response: Write down or say out loud your sadness, frustration, or fear. Give voice to the disappointment and frustration that we sometimes rarely admit, even to ourselves.

(pause)

Prayer: Dear God, we may find ourselves in a time of great sorrow. Give us the gift of tears that moves us beyond sadness into compassion. Inspire and empower us not only to cry about others but also to weep with them. Teach us to lament, so that we do more than regret our circumstances; we resolve to cooperate with you to change them.

(pause)

Listening

An African American spiritual, called, “Fix me, Jesus.”

Oh yes, fix me, Jesus, fix me.

Fix me so that I can walk on

a little while longer.

Fix me so that I can pray on

just a little bit harder.

Fix me so that I can sing on

just a little bit louder.

Fix me so that I can go on despite the pain,

the fear, the doubt, and yes, the anger,

I ask not that you take this cross from me,

only that you give me the strength to continue carrying it onward 'til my dying day.

Oh yes, fix me Jesus, fix me.