We have entered into Holy Week 2020 during a significant, challenging time in our world’s recent history. As we and our world continue to grapple with the reality of COVID-19, it is a call to prayer, fasting, and LAMENT for God’s people. On this coming Good Friday, we are joining churches around the world and the entire Christian Reformed denomination to a Day of Fasting and Prayer.
Jesus once again shows us the way of LAMENT. Biblical Lament has four movements:
- 1st, CRY OUT to God: Why? How Long?
- 2nd, ASK GOD for what is needed: Petition Him!
- 3rd, Acknowledge and speak TRUST in God.
- 4th, make a VOW TO PRAISE.
I have attached a video demonstrating these movements of Biblical LAMENT, filmed and put together yesterday that embodies the prayer of LAMENT:
After watching the video, what is it that you are lamenting? For yourself? For the world? COVID-19 is bringing its share of lament, yet, there are many things to lament over. On the cross, Jesus quotes from a Psalm of Lament, Psalm 22, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He asks God to quench his thirst, “I am thirsty!” He speaks trust, “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit.” He also voices trust in God even in his crucifixion to the point of death by saying, “It is finished!”
For our Good Friday Worship Service, we will worship through the 7 words of Jesus from the cross. Full worship order and instructions for Good Friday service will come to you on Thursday. We are putting the finishing touches to the order of worship today and tomorrow.
Know this with certainty and absolute confidence, God will have the last word in all things, and it has everything to do with Easter and God’s marvelous answer to all lament and brokenness – RESURRECTION!!! Sunday is coming!
Pastor Mark