As Christians awaiting our heavenly home, we experience all different circumstances in our lives. We are confronted with the reality of sin in a fallen and broken world as we face suffering, temptation, trials, and hardship. How, in these different moments, should we, as Christians, pray? Recently while studying the Psalms I was struck by this short statement made by a commentator. “Most Scripture speaks to us; the Psalms speak for us.” The Psalms speak for us by instructing us how we can pray in every circumstance of life.

One experience that is often the most difficult to know how to pray is that of suffering. When we are struck with troubles, trials, fear, sadness, and suffering of all kinds, how do we pray? The Psalms are particularly helpful in these moments because they instruct us how to lament. Lamenting is something that many of us are not familiar with or comfortable with for that matter. But it is something we see prevalent in the Psalms, and something that would benefit us all as we pray through suffering.

Lament is a prayer in the midst of suffering. But it is not a prayer that simply mimics the life and attitude of Eeyore where everything is just grey and drab forever. No, lament is a prayer in suffering that moves us to praise. Here are four parts to lament that I trust will encourage you as you pray in your suffering.

Complain

Complain? This doesn’t sound right. However, there is complaining and there is complaining. When we lament, we are turning to the Lord to tell him of our troubles. We are crying out to him and voicing what we are experiencing. This is the complaining I am talking about.

When you file a formal complaint over a situation, you are describing what has happened. That is the idea here. Tell God what you are experiencing. Tell him of your troubles. Pour out your heart before him. Yes, He knows exactly what is happening, but we are instructed in the Psalms to come to him and tell him of our sorrows and weaknesses.

Ask

After crying out to the Lord and telling him of our troubles, we ask him for help. As we look to the Lord in times of suffering and troubles, we know that he alone is our help and strength.

We call to mind that he alone is the one who can help us in any and every circumstance. So, in our prayer of suffering, we boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence, asking for help in time of need.

Trust

In the prayers of the psalmists you will notice that the reason they are able to continue and move forward in their suffering is because of their trust and faith in the Lord. Even in the deepest of valleys and the darkest days, the psalmist has trust and confidence in God and his promises that find their yes and amen in Jesus Christ.

Remember God’s faithfulness, his goodness, and his steadfast love. Remember Jesus Christ risen from the grave and your future resurrection. Cling to the promises of God in suffering and trust him. He is faithful.

Praise

Finally, there is a movement in lament that does not leave us in the darkness. In lament we cry out to the Lord, ask for help, remember his promises, and trust him. This then leads us to respond in praise and thanksgiving for who God is and what He has done and will do, even in this trial.

We don’t have to wait for our suffering to end to praise God and give thanks that ultimately, salvation belongs to our great and gracious God.

I trust that as you face circumstances of all kinds in your life, the Psalms will encourage you how to pray. When you are afraid, suffering, facing trouble, or feel like God has abandoned you—lament with the psalmist. Complain, ask, trust, and praise.