In many of our justice endeavors, we often believe that our task is to speak for the voiceless. But maybe we need to follow the book of Lamentations and move the ones who suffer to front and center. The prophet-narrator has much to say, but the real movement and progress is that we hear the actual voice of those who suffer. The people pray for themselves. Oftentimes, in corporate prayer meetings, we offer prayers on behalf of the suffering; even when an individual is present, that individual remains silent while others pray.
