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Praying Psalms of Lament for Covenant

Kingsley East

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears hear my prayer.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

God, hear our voice. Be attentive to our plea." (from Psalm 130)


I sang this Psalm with our church on Sunday morning. Not knowing the horror that Monday would bring. Today, I sing this song from greater depths of sorrow. I plead for God to send Jesus back to save the world, to finish His work of making all things new, to judge and justify, to forgive and redeem and reconcile. To do the things that I cannot do.


My heart breaks open again each time I think about this tragedy. I break for the moms and dads--my mentors, teachers, ministers, leaders, pastors, friends. I break for the children-- the trauma, loss, sorrow, fear, anxiety. I break for my home community and every community living with this evil. I offer my laments to God, the Covenant community, and all who need words to pray. The Psalms of Lament are for us.


Note: Psalms of Lament are the most common type of Psalms in the Bible. God knew we would need these prayers. God invites us to cry out in anger and sorrow.


I became a believer at Covenant Presbyterian Church. I learned that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I took communion for the first time in the fellowship hall, which was the sanctuary at the time. I fell in love with Jesus at RYM summer camp. I joined the youth leadership team and began to sense a call and desire to spend my life serving the church. I sang hymns of praise in the bell tower. I learned to sing "It is Well with My Soul" especially "when sorrows like sea billows roll."


When we built the new sanctuary, my knees fell into the pew kneeler each Sunday, grateful for a place to confess my sins and rise free in God's grace. Parents and pastors prayed over me and my peers as we prepared to graduate high school. Once I left home and wasn't sure if I still believed everything I was taught growing up, I continued going to church to receive Christ's body and blood given for me and the world. And God continued to meet me in the church.


The blood of God's children now stains that church--God's church, my home church. All I can do is read Psalms of vengeance and pain, crying with centuries of believers who turned to God when their worlds fell apart. I sing from Psalm 130, "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord," and I sing other familiar tunes until my throat begins to close and tears begin to fall. I'm afraid to start crying.

I cry for these children and school leaders who died. I cry for those who survived. I cry for each family connected to Covenant. I cry for every parent dropping a child off at school today.

I cry believing God is still here in the darkest night. I cry feeling the Holy Spirit with me and Jesus' arms wrapped around me through the arms of my family and community. I cry looking for a way to love and care for my community in Nashville.


The Psalms of Lament begin in sorrow and anger, and they move toward trust and confidence in God. The Psalmist cries out: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" and then ends singing: "But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation" (Ps. 13). What do we do when our loved ones don't get to sing the second part of the Psalm? Jesus cried out to God: "Into Your hands I commit my spirit" (Ps. 31:5/ Lk. 23:46). Then He was murdered.


Jesus taught us the Lord's Prayer, and Jesus taught us how to lament in the face of death and devastation. Covenant raised me to believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. That Jesus laid down His life for me, and death is never the end. That all who call on the name of Jesus will be raised into new life. This hope does not stop our pain. We lament with all creation, groaning under the pain of sin (Rom. 8:18-22). We mourn that Jesus loved us so much that He died for us (Jn. 3:16, Is. 53:5, Rom. 5:6-11). The joy of our salvation and hope of resurrection does not keep us from crying.


As the church and the Covenant community cry today, may every part of God's church join in their lament. May we all open our hands, letting the anger and anxiety and answers we think we know fall at the altar of the Lord. May God see our empty hands, our tears, and our broken spirits and answer us.

God, come and save us. Through the Scriptures and the Spirit, lead us into life. In the name of Jesus, never let this happen again.

"O God, hasten to deliver me;

O Lord, hasten to my help!

... But I am afflicted and needy;

Hasten to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer;

O Lord, do not delay." (from Psalm 71)


Your fellow grieving pilgrim,

Kingsley

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2 Comments


Sharon Carter
Sharon Carter
Mar 29, 2023

Kingsley~To learn that this sweet church in Nashville is a part of your story makes the world feel very small at the moment. Tonight I will be leading a small group from our church, just north of Nashville, in prayer as we grieve, lament, and hope in the redemption of ALL things. Know that we are holding you in prayer as well!


Sharon Carter


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wefivegibbs
wefivegibbs
Mar 29, 2023

Kingsley, I've been grieving with tears, anger, and a broken heart, for the children and adults who were senselessly murdered in such a violent manner this week. I also grieve for those who have a connection to the school and church- the classmates, teachers, coworkers, friends, siblings, parents, extended families, the congregation, and community members.


I didn't realize that along with these people, unknown to me, for whom I've been grieving and praying, is one I do know, and love. I didn't know this was your childhood church. I'm deeply sorry for the pain this unspeakable act has, and is, causing you, your family, and others who are dear to your heart. There are no words that can make this…

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About Me

I am a minister, writer, and freelance writer/ editor/ marketer out of Waco, Texas. I minister with youth and families at DaySpring Baptist Church and work for Baylor's Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Program. I love outdoor adventures, coffee and concerts, and spending time with my family, friends, and pets.

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© 2022 by Kingsley East Gibbs.

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