As peacemakers, we need to open the space to cry and lament. We have said this, but the temptation to keep ourselves informed, busy and achieving something gets in the way. 

Lamenting is a spiritual practice that invites our whole bodies into the pain of what is broken, lost or stolen. Lament starts by recognizing a deep dissatisfaction, to name the feeling (if able) and aid in its expression. Lament is not forced, it’s invited. God invites us to cry our anger, fears, doubts, desire for vengeance and all else we don’t understand. 

Lament is a common practice for the oppressed and vulnerable. In Scripture, those on the underside of power and the followers of God under imperial dominance knew lament well. .  Today, lament is not popular in our communal prayers or songs, but we can rediscover its importance. 

As we lament, we are able to cry with those who suffer and open ourselves to be changed as we see the injustices we might participate in. Lament liberates us to express our anger and frustration with our own limitations while being grounded in our humanness. As we lament, we are able to recognize and denounce the powers that kill and destroy our cities and countries that are also at work within us. As Latin American theologian, Milton Acosta, says, “As we exclude lament from our faith and human experience, we are dehumanized”. 

What are you lamenting in this season? What can you lament publicly? 

Blog image by artist Kate Creech.

Alejandra Ortiz- Global Immersion Special Advisor and Regional director for Compa (Christian university ministry) for the Northwest region of México

Alejandra Ortiz is from Tijuana, Mexico and works as a Regional director for Compa (Christian university ministry) for the Northwest region of México. She is passionate about helping students live out their faith in the whole of life and use their studies to serve their local communities. For the past 6 years Ale has been leading students from Compa and other groups with The Global Immersion project, from all over México and the U.S., on learning and exposure projects to understand more about life on the border and immigration issues. She is a bridge builder between churches, students and local NGO’s. Alejandra, her husband and their young daughter have recently started a home church in Tijuana, living communally with others and seeking to join God’s Kingdom work in their local area.