One reality about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is that people are experiencing deep pain and grief on a number of levels. Of course there is the pain and grief of illness and death. At the time of this post on Monday afternoon, there are over 1.5 million confirmed cases of the virus and over 90,000 deaths just in the US. Those numbers will continue to rise with no immediate end in sight. Within those overwhelming numbers is the additional pain and grief that the virus sickens and kills people of color and low income in disproportionate ways.
In addition to all the suffering caused by the pandemic, more pain and grief have been revealed related to several more high profile killings of unarmed black people shot by police including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Sean Reed.
In the Bible, there is a form of prayer that focuses on bringing our pain and grief before God. It is called lamentation which is based on the word “lament.” The definition of lament is “to express regret or disappointment over something considered unsatisfactory, unreasonable, or unfair.” When we offer prayers of lament, we lift these painful situations to God both to share our burden and to seek God’s guidance in response to our pain and suffering. This coming Thursday, May 21 at 7:00pm, a ministry partner of Cornelius Corps called DC Unity and Justice Fellowship is offering a time to come together online to share prayers of lament related to ongoing expressions of racial violence. The following invitation includes information about the event and a Zoom link so that you can join us from 7:00-8:00pm on Thursday. If you are not able to connect at that time, please add your own prayers of lament and guidance at a time that works for you.
