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A Prayer for Mercy
The People of Jerusalem Pray:
1Our Lord, don't forget
how we have suffered
and been disgraced.
2Foreigners and strangers
have taken our land
and our homes.
3We are like children
whose mothers are widows.
4The water we drink
and the wood we burn
cost far too much.
5We are terribly mistreated;
we are worn out
and can find no rest.
6We had to surrender
to Egypt and Assyria
because we were hungry.
7Our ancestors sinned,
but they are dead,
and we are left to pay
for their sins.
8Slaves are now our rulers,
and there is no one
to set us free.
9We are in danger
from brutal desert tribes;
we must risk our lives
just to bring in our crops.
10Our skin is scorched
from fever and hunger.
11On Zion and everywhere in Judah
our wives and daughters
are being raped.
12Our rulers are strung up
by their arms,
and our nation's advisors
are treated shamefully.
13Young men are forced
to do the work of slaves;
boys must carry
heavy loads of wood.
14Our leaders are not allowed
to decide cases in court,
and young people
no longer play music.
15Our hearts are sad;
instead of dancing,
we mourn.
16Zion's glory has disappeared!
And we are doomed
because of our sins.
17We feel sick all over
and can't even see straight;
18our city is in ruins,
overrun by wild dogs.
19You will rule forever, Lord!
You are King for all time.
20Why have you forgotten us
for so long?
21Bring us back to you!
Give us a fresh start.
22Or do you despise us so much
that you don't want us?
Reflect
This, the shortest poem in the book, has much in common with the lament psalms. It repeats many of the earlier themes. The dire situation is described: invasion, occupation, starvation, rape, servitude, the collapse of social order, the destruction of the worship centre.
Little wonder that joy has been replaced by mourning (v 15). Finally, however, we have moved beyond expressions of grief to a direct appeal to God. Previously God has been invited to observe their fate, now he is called on to act (vv 19–22).
Can they – or we – be sure that he will? There is no question that God reigns, nor that he is able to deliver. Commentators are divided on whether the book ends on a note of despair or of hope, but the way in which Lamentations is constructed suggests that this depicts the point at which the nation finally feels able to take its complaint directly to God. If it was used as a liturgy, this is the point when relief can be found in turning to God, leading to a breakthrough for the sufferer. Prayer for restoration does not finally resolve the sense of desolation and failure, but it is an indication that there is a way back which can be left in God’s hands.
From our perspective, we know that there is always a way back made available for us by Christ. John promises us that forgiveness and restoration are always possible (1 John 1:9). Jesus’ conversation with Peter on the beach is a model of restoration in practice (John 21:15–23). In Christ we can know that God has not utterly rejected us (v 22), but this does not mean that there will not be times when we feel forsaken. Those are the times to make the closing words our own.
Respond
Bring us back to you, Lord! Give us a fresh start (v 21). In Jesus’ name, who made this possible. Amen.
First used in Encounter with God April-June 2015, written by John Grayston, copyright Scripture Union. Used with kind permission.
John Grayston
John is now retired after 37 years on the Scripture Union England and Wales staff, but still writes, teaches and preaches. He has two children and seven grandchildren and his hobbies are skiing, hill-walking, photography and gardening.