WHAT IS LAMENT?
"To lament means to express sorrow or regret. Lamenting something horrific that has taken place allows a deep connection to form between the person lamenting and the harm that was done, and that emotional connection is the first step in creating a pathway for healing and hope. We have to sit in the sorrow, avoid trying to fix it right away, avoid our attempts to make it all okay. Only then is the pain useful. Only then can it lead us into healing and wisdom."

Latasha Morrison, Be the Bridge

HOW TO LAMENT
Lament requires stillness, introspection, and feeling. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of Lament we have comes from the mouth of David in Psalm 51. In David's lament, he pleads for forgiveness, acknowledges his own shortcomings, and asks for mercy.

A PRAYER OF LAMENT
We acknowledge that we stood by when the dwellings of our neighbors were cast down, and we ignored the cries of the innocent. Lord, have mercy. Lord, we acknowledge we have not learned to do right; we do not seek restorative justice that benefits all. We have not defended the oppressed. We have not taken up the cause of the fatherless or pleaded the case of the widow. Instead, we have mocked and punished the poor with our partisanship and apathy. Lord, have mercy. We lament that we stood by as systemic and institutionalized racism became founding pillars and structures in America and within the church. Lord, have mercy. We have allowed agendas of an empire to become prominent within your church. We understand that empire aims to take and oppress. We have replaced your kingdom with an empire mentality. Lord, have mercy. We have formed and developed church structures and denominations while excluding the voice of your global church, due to racism and racial segregation. Lord, have mercy. We acknowledge the racial hierarchies and structures of privilege many have benefited from and many have been oppressed by. Lord, have mercy. We have ignored the cries of children because they were not our own. We have discounted the pain of mothers because they were not our own. We have turned a blind eye to the affliction of Brown and Black people because they were not our own. Lord, have mercy.We have replaced your supremacy with idolization of our nation and racial identity. Lord, have mercy.We have not required justice, we have not loved others well, and we have not walked in humility in our brokenness.We cry out to you, our God and Redeemer, as the only one who can save us from ourselves. Show us our blind spots. Don’t let us hide from you in our shame and guilt. Restore us to your perfect union that can be found in Jesus Christ. Lord, show us how to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Lord, with deep sorrow we lament.

Adapted from Latasha Morrison in Be the Bridge (edited) 

TAKE ACTION PERSONALLY

Most importantly, take action ​personally​, in your workplace, home, church, social media, and other spheres of influence. Listen to Black people, and elevate their voices. Call out racist acts and words. Speak to your family and friends about race and racism. Demand anti-racist policies at work.