Lamentations – Praying Through the Pain

Lamentations – Praying Through the Pain
Pastor Steve Anderson | 6.22.22
(New Living Translation)

Step 1. Go To God

Step 2. Cry Out To God 

Lamentations 3:1-20

 1 I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the Lord’s anger.

 2 He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light.

 3 He has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.

 4 He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones.

 5 He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress.

 6 He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead.

 7 He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains.

 8 And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers.

 9 He has blocked my way with a high stone wall; he has made my road crooked.

10 He has hidden like a bear or a lion, waiting to attack me.

11 He has dragged me off the path and torn me in pieces, leaving me helpless and devastated.

12 He has drawn his bow and made me the target for his arrows.

13 He shot his arrows deep into my heart.

14 My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs.

15 He has filled me with bitterness and given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink.

16 He has made me chew on gravel. He has rolled me in the dust.

17 Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is.

18 I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!”

19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.

20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

Lamenting is a PROCESS we have to go THROUGH 

Psalm 10:1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help. 2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

God invites you: 

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares/Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

God hears you:

Psalm 18:6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Lament is not the opposite of faith.  

The big difference between complaining and lamenting is humility or ingratitude.

God WANTS to heal and restore us…….but He wants us to approach Him in faith.

Step 3. Ask Him For Help

Psalm 10:12 Arise, O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God!  Do not ignore the helpless!

Psalm 13:3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Psalm 22:11 Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near,  and no one else can help me.

Step 4. Trust And Praise Him

Lamentations 3:19-26 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.

20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.

26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

Psalm 13:5-6 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 

Even when God says “No”

Job 1:20-22 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.

21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”

22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Practice Remembrance of God’s Faithfulness and Love

Psalm 77:11-12 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;  I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

12 They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

Psalm 50:15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

NOTES:

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