(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley/Released)
When in Creation
When in creation life is lost, the powers of God seem weak.
When young and old are swept away by rivers in the streets,
We seek the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day,
and pray to God that lives be saved and hope will find a way.
Where is the goodness of our God when seas force life to die?
Where is the powerful love of God when people hurt and cry?
Lord, how your wonders are displayed, wher e’er I turn my eye,
O God, our help in ages past, be with the world today.
from: © Tommy Shephard (26 December 2004) published by the United Methodist Church, Board of Discipleship
Some images coming out of Japan are too painful to look at for long. Unimaginable suffering. In the face of such tragedy, prayer seems inadequate.
Thinking of Psalms of Lament, I spoke with Kathryn Rickert, a friend who is an adjunct professor at Seattle University who has made a study of the Biblical prayer of lament and asked about our faith response in such times.
"Part of the problem.... from where we are safe and sound in the USA, is that we can' t actually lament
unless we see ourselves in the disaster with the people of Japan. From this distance, we are praying for them. To pray for is not the same as to lament with."
Those of us not in the midst of the unfolding catastrophe in Japan still have lamenting to do. Read More