Return of the Religious Lament

By Staff
Published on May 6, 2008
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When everything was taken away from Job, he cried out to God. It wasn’t a curse against God, but more of a complaint. His lamentation is a form of prayer that is not employed enough, according to Richard Rohr writing for Tikkun. It’s “[a] prayer form for people longing for peace and justice in church and country,” Rohr writes, “but without any need to blame, accuse, or give answers.” Religious leaders have shied away from the lament, possibly due to the inherent negativity, but it can often be more honest than constant thanksgiving.

Bennett Gordon

Image by Cat Louise, licensed under Creative Commons.

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