One practice my pastoral experience leads me to recommend is the regular use of psalms of lamentation. Psalms 22, 27, 42–43, 51, 80, 90, and 91 are good examples. These psalms might be used most often at Sunday evening vespers. Over the years I have given special attention to the value of crying before God when we are in pain. The Psalms help us to do this. It may not pass the muster of those who insist on positive thinking, but it helps us to minister to those who need our prayer support. The psalms of lamentation give us a way of praying both for and with those who suffer. They give us an
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