A Cry of Lament
How long, O Lord?
How are we to bear this pain
Over and over and over
Blood cries out from the ground
Again and again and again
Met once more with
Empty words and violent fists
Hearts of stone which fail to see
To weep, to lament, to repent
How long, O Lord
We are wasting away while idols clamor
Your beloved are beaten, buried,
Discarded, dismembered
Fighting to be human
To be seen
To live
How long, O Lord
Until we see a shift where walls begin to crumble
To make way for bold visions and new foundations
For healing waters that mold the dry clay of all the decay
Into something that lets us live and breathe
That lets us flourish together as one?
How long, O Lord
Must mothers cry out in agony?
May their wailing fuel the fire of our souls
May their tears soften the hardness of our hearts
Until we turn this cry of “no more!”
Into more than an empty chorus
Sung on repeat
May their weeping be turned
Into a resounding symphony
Into a battle cry that breaks us free
From this cycle of death
And leads us into flowing rivers
Of life and laughter
Of healing and joy
Of restoration and renewal.
We beg You, O Lord,
May it be so.
Copyright © 2023 Rakhi McCormick
Rakhi McCormick is a first-generation Indian-American and convert from Hinduism who found her way into the Church and a career in ministry through a series of invitations, and more than a few leaps of faith – sometimes kicking and screaming. Having worked in a variety of ministries at the national, diocesan, and local level, Rakhi has discovered that her greatest passion is speaking light into darkness, wherever that might be found, and however the Holy Spirit leads. She has a heart for the underdog, the overlooked, and the broken. A devoted advocate for God’s mercy and justice, Rakhi uses these inspirations to shape her writing, speaking, and artwork. She is the owner of Rakstar Designs and currently resides in the Metro Detroit area with her husband and three children. When not playing wife, mother, or minister, you can find Rakhi singing, reading, scrolling Instagram, and making beautiful things (and messes) with coffee in hand.