NOTE: This is the first in a series of posts for our “Reconciling America?” teaching series, which begins January 10, 2021. To see our weekly teaching videos, click here. For our weekly audio podcast, click here.
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
~ Matthew 2:18
A difficult and historic week in America.
Tuesday we learned that officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake will not be held accountable. Wednesday, a pro-Trump mob of rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, incited by Trump himself. Also on Wednesday voters in Georgia have elected their first Black senator alongside their first Jewish senator -- a breathtaking repudiation of the blatantly racist and insurrectionist campaigns conducted by their opponents. White supremacy, systemic racism, and authoritarian nationalism rage right alongside the hope of love.
Lamenting America
President-elect Joe Biden is already pushing for the nation to unify and heal. But genuine healing can’t happen without first giving full expression to the impact of trauma. This is what lamenting is for. A lament is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow, and often takes the form of a prayer or poem, song or liturgy, but is always an outpouring of frustration and grief.
Below are the laments of our congregation and friends.
Scroll down to submit your own lament to be posted here.
Our Laments for America
““I’ve been living in a state of chronic fear since Wednesday’s horrific domestic terrorist attack on our Capitol. I literally thought I was going to wake up Thursday morning living under martial law with the right-wing fascists in charge. I still live in fear every day because the man who instigated, incited, and called for that disgusting attack on our democracy is still the President of the United States.
He still has the nuclear codes and he still has rabid followers who he can call on to stage another attempted political coup at any time. Further, he can run for office again in 4 years and continue to sow seeds of hate, racism and division in our Country in the interim.
I do not want to live like this. I’m praying Jesus will take away my fear, and that our politicians will permanently remove #45 from power.””
“I feel greatly ashamed of our country and deeply grieved by the lack of courage we have all had for generations and generations to effectively speak into and fight against the evil of racism. In particular, I am abhorred by the wave of actions and inactions of those in the inner circles of power who allowed and promoted the fascist events of January 6th to unfold in a selfish, ignorant, and power-hungry attempt to preserve their own “kingdoms”.”
“When Christians believe pledging allegiance to a national leader can save their vision of the world, that is no longer Christianity; that is nationalism. And cloaked idolatry. When one’s flag-waving Christianity could not possibly translate to Rwanda, Haiti, the Philippines or Aruba, it’s no longer Christianity; that is nationalism. And antithetical to the Kingdom of God. When one’s Christianity more readily links arms with supremacists more than with believers of different nationalities — or with believers who supported different political positions — that’s not Christianity; that is nationalism. And it’s self-harm against the body of Christ. Evangelicalism infected with nationalism isn’t Christianity, but a syncretism of demonic white supremacism. Faith that is more hungry for power than caring for the hungry isn’t a faith that follows Christ. Faith that is intoxicated with power has never drank Christ’s cup. Maybe the epiphany that comes on Epiphany, on Three Kings Day, is that: When Christians make an idol out of nation, they make an altogether false Christ. In the church’s earnestness to make an enraged, hurting world Christian, how many of us Christians have become enraged, and hurt Christ’s witness? Because when we pledge allegiance to the King of Kings, our purpose is never to leverage political power to protect self-interests, but to pick up our cross, because the sacrificial cruciform ways of Christ leverages a completely otherworldly power that’s interested in protecting others. ~Ann Voskamp”
“I share the feelings of those expressed before my post. I have felt so overwhelmed by the events that it has sent me into a depression. I was overloaded before these events happened, but the siege of the capitol sent me over the edge. That he is still President and can inflict more of this is frightening. Last time I looked, we were a free and democratic society that prided itself on living by the Constitution. While I know there are many people who still believe in this, the question I have is how did the small minority become so emboldened as to become a force to reckon with? And how is the incoming President and Vice President going to deal with this incredible mess? I pray every day for our crushed nation and myself. I want to be in a position to act and make a difference in turning the tide. For we will all be called to act and help heal at this unprecedented time. Today’s sermon (1/10) was so timely and went to the heart of the matter. So each day, I stay off FB and limit my access to news. We are in this together my dear OSC brothers and sisters. Let us join together in prayer and action.”
“I feel myself drifting away from my conservative Christian friends and I mourn the loss of our unity. At the same time I am absolutely appalled that so many people have bought into Trump’s lies! And the extremism! I asked my sister in law if we could all wear masks when we got together and she refused, said the get together was now cancelled and accused me of ruining her vacation. I feel angry, sad and raw. I just don’t want to “people” anymore.”
“How long, O Lord, must I call on you for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you,”Violence!”
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.
Habakkuk 1:2-4”
“Watching the news, I was shocked to see Confederate flags flapping in the hands of insurrectionists running through our capital.
Dear Loving God in Heaven,
Who are we? Why are we so mean? Why can’t we move on and show kindness and give full access to all life has to offer to everyone? Why are racism, sexism, and hatred of others tolerated by my Christian friends and family in defense of a political party? Are black lives not more important than their gun rights? God, I am losing friends and have family who has held me at arm’s length because I say this behavior is horrific. God, help us. God help me. In all honesty, I am wondering where you are. You have come to set the captives free, yet so many are experiencing oppression. Where are you? Please, Please, Please bring us back together. Please help us to understand what laying our life down for one another means. Please help us to see everyone like family, fearfully and wonderfully made. Help us to love each other unconditionally. Please help me to know the best thing to say. Please help me to stand up to injustice even when it will cause relational fallout. Please help me to know when to keep my mouth shut and let you work. God, heal our country, I pray.”
“Dear God, I still find myself angry, disgusted, incredibly sad, and filled with fear after the events not just last week, but over too many years leading up to it. You promise that you make all things work together for our good, but it is hard for me to see the good right now. I pray that you will take this darkness and shine your light - bringing hope, justice, peace and love to the beautiful black and brown people who have and continue to suffer so much, the poor and oppressed, our nation, and all of us. Please bring healing and meaningful, lasting change to our nation.”
How to share your lament
Normally we would be lamenting together in our worship gathering. But because we are not gathering in-person, we are inviting you to share your lament for America with us online. In the coming days and weeks, we will be collecting these laments and sharing them online and in our gatherings.
Laments often take on particular forms. Here’s a template that you may find helpful:
Lament is often a way of asking “why” when there are no obvious answers.
Lament often names the hopes and expectations that were dashed.
Lament often name the promises (including from God) that have not been fulfilled.
Lament often vividly describes the pain of grief in tangible ways.
Lament often asks for relief and fulfillment of unfulfilled promises or expectations.
There are three ways you can share your lament in this space:
Share your own written lament to God about what is happening in America: Use the comment form below. Stick to expressions of emotion. What are you feeling? Resist the temptation to rationalize it.
Share a scripture, poem, image, gif., video clip, or song that expresses your lament: Again, use the comment form below, but share a link to whatever media you feel expresses your grief about what is happening in America.
Call and leave a recorded voice message: If you are willing, speaking your lament out-loud can be very powerful and healing expression. To do so, call (760) 722-8522 and leave a voicemail.
You are welcome to share anonymously. Just indicate that you would like your lament to be anonymous and we will exclude your name when we post it here.
Important Note: Whatever emotions of grief you are legitimate. But it isn’t healthy for your or others to direct those emotions toward others in hateful or violent expressions. We will not post any expression of hate speech or violence.