What Does It Mean to Lament?

by Rick Warren — July 12, 2023
From How to Get Through What You’re Going Through

“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.”

Psalm 103:13-14 (NLT)

Lament is not a word that we use much today—but it’s a practice that is essential to your emotional and spiritual health.

What is lament? A lament is a passionate expression of grief to God. You cry out to God. You may even shout to God. You may weep. You may yell. Lament is an act of worship that can include arguing with God and complaining to him.

“Wait a minute,” you’re probably thinking. Complaining to God can be an act of worship? That’s right: When you complain about God, that’s an act of rebellion. But when you complain to God, that’s an act of worship. 

You can complain to God all you want. God can handle it! He can handle your rage and resentment and regrets and accusations—because he already knows it all. He just wants you to get it off your chest. He wants you to admit it or confess it to him.

“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:13-14 NLT).

God isn’t afraid of negative emotions. We are, but God isn’t. He wants you to let it all out in lament because he knows that life is not all sunshine and roses. Life can be rough. That’s why the Bible says there is a time to rejoice, but there is also a time to weep. That’s why the Bible is full of lament.

In fact, there’s an entire book of lament in the Bible called Lamentations, where Jeremiah complains to God that he got it all wrong. Jeremiah was grieving the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and God let him have his say. 

Most people think the book of Psalms is all about thanksgiving and praise. But there are 150 psalms in the Bible, and 65 of them are psalms of lament. Every human emotion is expressed in the book of Psalms.

If God leads you to lament and you don’t know how to start, just go to Psalms. As you read, underline every verse that you identify with and every verse that encourages you. Say these verses back to God, whether they’re psalms of praise or psalms that cry out to God in pain. 

Your prayers of praise and lament are worship—and God hears every one of them.

Talk It Over

  • What do you need to express to God in lament today?
  • Why do you think we are often hesitant to express our frustrations and complaints to God, as if he doesn’t already know them?
  • What happens to your negative emotions when you do not let them out in healthy ways?

Will you follow Jesus today?

God proved his goodness through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 CSB).

Are you ready to trust God to fulfill his promise of eternal life? If so, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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