It is in the recovery of lament that I believe the Church has its greatest capacity to speak forcefully again into the culture around us.
It is in our ability to weep, to moan, to wail in worship that we recover the peripheries of human existence, and find that God is there as well.
No trite phrases or contrived ambivalence will do – we must face our sufferings, and those of our people, head on.
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I really agree with the thrust of this statement. And I’m wondering if there are many new worship songs being written that give voice and depth (no trite phrases) to weeping and lamenting and finding God in our weeping, and in our longing, not always beyond them.
Let me start by saying I totally agree! Thank You!
In my denomination we are always trying to encourage people to come into the presence of God in a transparent manner. We tell them it doesn’t matter where they’ve been, what has happened this week, the highs and lows… just bring it to the Lord and worship Him from the honesty of your heart.
Basically we want our people to experience the freedom of God in the rawness of their state of mind… like the author’s of Psalms used to do. Having integrity… Being honest with God and each other, in worship.
But… do we plan our services in a way that would allow for a broad spectrum of “rawness?”
If we expect to see the church worship in “Spirit and Truth” then we as leaders need to lead in “Spirit and Truth.”
This includes laments.
i couldn’t agree more…there is such power in living out loud with honesty and integrity
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