Lament: Week 17 (Feb 13-19)
Lament Practice: Week 17 | Week of Feb. 13 - 19
Communities @ Grace
Overview of the Night:
15 Minutes Before Start Time : : Arrive + Set Out Food
45 Minutes : Welcome, Pray, Eat, + Mingle
15 Minutes : Review Last Week’s Practice
45 Minutes : Introduction of Practice + Discussion
5 Minutes : Practice for Week Ahead
10 Minutes : Pray for One Another + Close
Goal for Week: We will focus on the practice of prayers of lament to deepen our relationship with God.
45 minutes: Welcome, Pray, Eat + Mingle
What was the lesson you learned in your 20’s that you made sure to pass on to your kids?
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
15 Minutes : Review of last week’s practice experience
Read to your group: The purpose of this time is for accountability, support, and gleaning from what God is doing in the lives of others.
(Leader’s note: remind everyone that these prayers are very personal and we are not here to discuss solutions or tell about how it worked out in our situation.)
Review:
Reflect on a current pain or concern and talk to God about it.
Use the template to create a prayer of lament. Say it, pray it and discuss it with God this week.
Journal about any shifts in your attitude, feelings or how the situation changed as you focus on it this week.
How did this practice go for you? What is the Holy Spirit doing in your heart as a result of practicing this last week?
If nobody in your group has completed the practice from the previous week:
What is hindering you from practicing during the week?
How can we support each other?
How was your connection with Jesus this week?
45 Minutes : Introduction of Practice + Discussion
The book of Job recounts the heart wrenching events of losing his family, status and
possessions. Let’s read Job 6:1-13 to see how he laments to God.
What is Job’s complaint?
How does Job approach telling God his troubles? (shouts, appalled that he’s done this to him, feels sick, expects better)
What does he ask God to do?
How do you identify with Job?
Will anyone share a time that they have pleaded with God?
Lamenting is a tool God gives us to prevent us from sinking into deep depression or
sorrow. It’s a safety valve to release the grief that threatens to pull you under. The Holy
Spirit is with us to support us, point us to God and pray on our behalf. After we offer our
sorrows to God in a lament our next step is to listen for him to speak.
Besides grieving a death, what causes deep sorrow?
What circumstance in your life path has caused you to question God?
How do prayers of lament help change our attitude or feelings?
When or how do you hear the Holy Spirit?
See next page for Practices for the week, consider giving a copy to each member.
10 Minutes : Pray for One Another + Close
Consider praying as a whole group or in triads for personal prayer requests.
End on time in order to honor everyone’s time.
5 Minutes : Practices for Week Ahead
Think of a situation, sorrow or grief that you know is a heavy burden for you. Name the reasons or feelings that make it so painful? Journal about it.
Write a lament to tell God your feelings and be bold in asking him for answers or help.
Try several ways to do sustained listening to God such as: find times in your weekly schedule to spend a few minutes listening to God. This could be during your commute, taking a walk, while cleaning, before you get up or as you go to sleep, after you finish your personal devotions. Try to come without expectations or requests.