A prayer about the lament
A prayer does not replace a deed. But there is no deed that replaces a prayer.
I am the lament
indomitable I hold on to the hope
I stand with the marginalized
lend my mouth to the voiceless
I shout the silent words of the soul
into the ear of the sleeping God
outrageous is
what gets under my skin
lies on my heart
takes my breath away
and therefore must
be said again and again
said
shouted
cried
I am the lament
impatiently I cling to the old words of the promise
of the God who sees and hears the misery of His people
of His Savior who came
to seek and find what is lost
of the Spirit of freedom who brings life
stretch out my longing
wide enough for all
waiting trembling
that memory becomes redeeming presence
for so long
I am the lament
incessantly I knock on closed doors
I will not be silenced
with desperate words
I break through powerlessness
I flee from loneliness
protest against the supposed facts of this world
contest their final word
which is spoken by the One
still I do not hear the whisper
but I know the voice
I am the lament
words of light from heaven
illuminate my face
cast their rays
behind the dark horizon
I look up
nothing has changed
but everything is different
still
now I can
borrow other words
comfort
confidence
strength
Philipp Elhaus
A prayer does not replace a deed. But there is no deed that replaces a prayer.