The practice of lament encourages Christians to trust in the Lord and His plan in the depths of grief and sorrow. Our God is one of emotion, and desires to draw near to his people in the midst of their pain and brokenness.

It is important to look to Jesus as a precious example of lament, remembering the way he turned to His father on the night of His betrayal knowing the pain and suffering he was soon to endure. On his final night, Jesus prayed before the Lord, laying his sorrows at His feet. Again, on the cross, Jesus cries out to the Father in agony (Matt. 27).

Use these Bible verses on lament and sorrow to cry out to God and remember He is near in times of desperation, and you are safe in the palm of His hand.

Psalm 42:5-6

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you”

Lamentations 1:20

“Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you.”

Hebrews 5:7

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”

Psalm 145:18

“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”

Matthew 26:38-39

“He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Psalm 34:17-20

“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!”

Hebrews 4:16

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Psalm 13:3-6

“Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice in my downfall. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”

2 Samuel 22:7

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.”

A team of over 100 leading biblical scholars meticulously translated the best Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into the contemporary English of the New Living Translation (NLT), blending the highest accuracy with exceptional clarity. The result is the accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable Bible translation that you can trust and easily apply to your life. Learn more on the official NLT website: NewLivingTranslation.com.