Lamentation

 

Lord, I don’t know where to start

The issues to lament are so many

So numerous

So overwhelming

 

And so, I start with saying sorry

 

Sorry for what I haven’t done out of apathy

For what I’ve avoided doing cos I didn’t want to get involved, or go out of my comfort zone

For what I’ve not said cos it was easier, or less confrontational

Sorry for what I’ve done and shouldn’t have done

For what I’ve said and shouldn’t have said

For what I’ve thought and shouldn't have thought about

 

Sorry for my role in the way that the world is now

For the historical role of my heritage in so much of the pain and turmoil of the world today

For the current role of the over-consumptive western world on climate change and climate injustice

 

My heart weeps when I think about Gaza and Palestine and Israel

About Ukraine and Russia and the neighbouring countries

About the conflicts in Africa, and Asia, and South America, and MENA that so often don’t get a look in, or a mention on the news.

 

My heart weeps when I think of all those people who are displaced

Not out of choice

But out of fear, persecution, famine, poverty, loss of home, loss of livelihood, for the colour of their skin, for being different, because of climate induced displacement

 

And if I let it, my heart fears for the future

For the world that the younger generation are inheriting

For the world that babies are being born into.

 

For all the traumas and mental health issues and broken relationships that are part of this poly-crisis world that we are living in.

 

Lord, there is so much to lament

So much to weep for

So much to feel hopeless about

 

And yet amidst it all we have hope in You

Because You, Lord and creator, are greater than all the messes that we have made and continue to make

 

Thank you, Lord, that you haven’t given up on us

thank you that you still love us

that you still want to involve us in the plans for the future

In the plans for moving forward

 

Lord, my hope is in you

I seek your forgiveness

For all that I didn’t do, say or think out of apathy

For all that I did do, say or think out of a place of selfishness, greed and ignorance

Forgive me Lord

 

And as I step forward into the future,

Show me what is my role

Show me what is the way that you would have me go

Show me how to bring hope and healing to a hopeless and broken world

Show me Lord

 

And may my heart never grow cold or indifferent to the pain and suffering around

But may you continue to break my heart with what breaks yours

 

In your mercy, Lord, hear my prayer