Legacy Church Blog

How to lament like a champ...

WRITING A PRAYER OF LAMENT

“Both the child and the cynic walk through the valley of the  shadow of death. The cynic focuses on the darkness; the child focuses on the Shepherd.” (Paul Miller, A Praying Life)

A lament is a specific type of prayer in the midst of sorrow, longing, and the feeling that things aren’t as they are supposed to be. We are always dependent on God. We cry out to God in lament when we feel we have nowhere else to turn. It’s a child-like prayer that is aware of the darkness but also focused on Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

Lament neither gives up on hope nor does it ignore reality. It recognizes where we are and where we need to be and cries out for God to narrow that gap. In Romans 4:18, Paul uses an unusual phrase to describe Abraham’s lament: “In hope he believed against hope.” Abraham stakes his life on hope, but never takes
his eyes off reality. That’s faith expressed through lament.

Lament expresses faith in God and expects God to act. It recognizes God rightly gets the glory if the situation changes. Refusing to lament attempts to short-circuit God and attempts to limit his ability to act. It allows you to claim credit if the situation ever changes.

Writing A Lament (Adults)

The Psalmists typically follow a basic pattern when they write their laments.

Direct Address | Address God directly, expressing
dependence on him. You have nowhere else to turn; as one scholar wrote, to turn anywhere else is blasphemous idolatry.

Lament / Cry for Help | Express your specific compliant to God.
Confession of Sin / Assertion of Innocence | Sometimes you suffer because of something you’ve done. Other times you suffer because of something done to you. And other times it's a combination of both. Confessing your sin is a sign of humility; taking responsibility for another’s sin is refusal to admit hurt and can be a sign of arrogance.

Imprecation | Imprecation leaves your desires for justice, vengeance, and vindication with God, asking him to act. This side of the cross, imprecation should include a longing for repentance, meaning the punishment for the sin falls fully on the shoulders of Christ. It can also include a longing for those in authority (often the government) to execute justice.

Confidence in God’s Response | The expression of confidence in God often starts with, “But you…” This is a theologically full statement, often including applicable attributes of God.

Praise | Most laments end with a statement of praise to God.

Writing A Lament (Children)

Dear God,
You are the great king over everything and you are my father.
I need your help because, ______________________________________________.

When I think about this, I feel ___________________________________________.

Here is how I want you to help __________________________________________.

I can’t fix my problem, but you can! You are the most powerful one in the whole universe. So please help me. Please fix this. Please make it right. Thank you for listening to my prayer, my father, almighty God. Amen.

Big thanks to Elliot Grudem, Tremper Longman, and Paul Miller for this material. 

Click here to access our class material on how to lament.

Legacy & The Coronavirus

Dear Legacy Family, 

Along with Knox County Schools, we are taking seriously the pandemic of COVID-19. Here are some important notes for you and your family: 

• Knox County Schools are now deep cleaning all their facilities, including West High School. Therefore Legacy Church will NOT be able to meet at West High School for the next two weeks (March 15th and March 22nd). 
• This may seem obvious to some, extreme to others, but is honestly out of our hands of our leadership.  
• We will provide a live-stream on Sunday AM so that you can gather in your homes as a family or with COMs and hear the Bible taught and the Gospel elevated. 
• “Church” is not cancelled because you are the church. Legacy began as a missional community, not a Sunday morning, and so this doesn’t impede who we are or what we’re called to do. Our past heavy investment into missional community life will pay dividends in seasons like this.  
• We’ll be contacting COM group leaders over the next day or two regarding their strategies and rhythms to continue “life-on-life” together in a season of “social distancing” and what that might look like. 
• More information and links on Sunday streaming will come in a follow-up communication. Be watching your inbox and social media platforms.

On a similar and maybe more practical note consider that Christians throughout the centuries were known for their faithful serving in a time when the rest of the world was fleeing and fearing. The church’s historical work with those plagued and dying has shocked the world and shown Jesus in tangible expressions. If the arc of the virus follows that of China and Italy, then the next few weeks will be very difficult for many people and families in Knox County.  We would ask our congregation to "wash hands for sure, then wash feet."

This means be responsible but not fearful. Be watchful of self preservation and consider what being a servant looks like in your neighborhood. Ask critical questions as you love your neighborhood: Who needs your help? Who is alone? Do they have what they need? Do they need childcare? Are they at risk? Are they sick? 

Here are some practical ways you can be a hospitable and helpful missionary: 

• Check in now on at-risk neighbors, particularly the elderly. Let them know that you will be checking in on them during the next few weeks.  Offer to pray with them. 
• Childcare. There will be many neighbors who need help with childcare for jobs.  This is such a good opportunity to love in deeds.
• Fund for people in crisis. Many people may be able to work from home, but others will suffer when businesses close and hourly workers have no income. 
• If you would like to make a contribution to those who need help in this time, you can do so though our website (Coronavirus Fund). 

This is an opportunity for wisdom and service, being careful and also being bold.  This is a time for us to wash our hands and then wash feet.

I love you all dearly. Be strong and courageous. 

Luke Thomas and the pastors of Legacy