Is lamenting absent from your prayer life? Jesus said in this world we will have tribulation, and that confirms the need we have to learn what lament is and how we should use it. If you don’t know how to prayerfully lament when those tribulations come your way, you are missing a marvelous way God has provided for us to deal with hard times and dark days.

How should we lament? There is no one right way; for each of us it will be somewhat different and personal. But there is a common thread in the prayers of lament in the Psalms, and that is, you take your lament to God and sometimes it’s to God only. Be sure you go to God first with your lament.

Often laments begin with a question, like Psalm 13:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me (Psalm 13:1-2)?

Actually, David had five questions of the Lord—five unanswered questions. Five things that puzzled him greatly; five things he wonders if God even knows or cares.

Ever been there? Your lament might sound more like how long, Lord, before my prodigal child comes to you? Or, how long will I have to endure this physical problem? Or, how long do I have to put up with a mate who is not true to you or to me? Or how long must I bear this unbearable pain of the loss of my child or parent or mate?

Whatever questions you have, your prayer of lament is your opportunity to express what’s going on inside of you, even in stark, angry words. Maybe that’s what you need to do even today—begin your lament to God. You don’t have to sugar-coat it or worry about hurting his feelings. Tell God exactly what’s going on inside you. He knows already, of course, but you need to put it into words and pour it out to God.