When God Feels Far Away: A Practice of Lament

spiritual practices for pastors

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Date Added

Feb 24, 2026

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My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

It doesn't get more honest or raw than the beginning of Psalm 22. And yet, it's included in ancient Israel's hymnal—and it's not alone in providing raw, uncomfortable emotion. Depending on your definitions, as many as 1/3 of all of the psalms in the Bible are laments!

How many are there in your church's hymnal or songbooks? If they're like most churches... not many.

Maybe this isn't a good thing. What if we're teaching ourselves that some emotions can't be brought before God? What if we're stunting our spiritual growth?

Let's grow by working the muscle of lament. It creates a path through pain to hope. It makes space for honesty, healing, and resting in God's strength, wisdom, and love.

As we are passing into the season of Lent, it's a good time to make some time for lament as a spiritual practice.

Spacious Places

Our quarterly spiritual practice is "The Language of Lament" from spiritual director (and TPW contributor) Laura Murray.

This self-directed silent retreat is perfect for Lent. Most of us have a hard time actually getting away for a proper retreat in the mountains. But finding an hour or two to simplify, set aside distractions (silence your phone), and seek God — a good activity for a pastor's Sabbath during Lent.

Laura's spiritual practice invites you to step away from the noise — all the voices and alerts calling for your attention — to slow down, quiet your soul, and be real with God.

An insight of this practice is that lament isn't about getting stuck or wallowing in our pain. It's not just a cry in the darkness. Instead, it is about creating a space big enough for our problems and God to be. It provides a structure to move forward.

In the practice, you will use Psalm 77 and walk through intentional steps with the psalmist to linger, let it out, let yourself rest, long for more, and live in hope. Even if you start in the deepest despair you end in trust with the psalmist: empowered to reach out to others in your ministry.

Silent Retreat Instructions

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Authors

Laura B. Murray

Laura Baghdassarian Murray (DMin, Fuller Seminary) is the director of spiritual engagement and innovation at Fuller Seminary's Center for Spiritual Formation. She is the author of Becoming a Person of Welcome (IVP) and Pray As You Are. She serves on the Ministry Collaborative Advisory Board, and previously served as pastor of spiritual formation at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Laura is also the founder of the Digital Silent Retreat Ministry, which is rooted in the practice of hospitality to provide brave and courageous spaces for people to connect with God and others. She lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two children and believes dessert is only dessert if it includes chocolate.

The Pastor's Workshop

The Pastor’s Workshop is a unique Christian resource created to support pastors, church leaders, and ministry workers in their calling to lead and shepherd congregations effectively. Founded with the vision of equipping leaders with practical tools and inspiration, The Pastor’s Workshop has become a trusted platform for theological insights, sermon preparation, and spiritual encouragement.

The Pastor’s Workshop provides a comprehensive collection of resources, including sermon illustrations, worship planning guides, and leadership articles, all designed to address the diverse challenges faced by those in ministry. By offering biblically grounded content, the platform helps pastors communicate God’s truth with clarity and relevance while fostering spiritual growth within their communities.

The heart behind The Pastor’s Workshop is a deep understanding of the unique pressures and responsibilities of pastoral ministry. Recognizing the importance of balancing theological depth with pastoral care, the resources emphasize practical applications of Scripture, creative storytelling, and culturally relevant insights. This approach not only aids in sermon preparation but also encourages leaders to cultivate meaningful connections with their congregations.

In addition to its extensive library of sermon helps, The Pastor’s Workshop provides encouragement through articles and reflections that address the personal and spiritual well-being of pastors. Topics such as burnout prevention, effective leadership, and maintaining a vibrant relationship with God are integral to the platform’s mission.

The Pastor’s Workshop continues to be a vital resource for church leaders worldwide, empowering them to fulfill their callings with wisdom, creativity, and compassion. By fostering a culture of excellence and care in ministry, The Pastor’s Workshop inspires pastors to lead thriving, Christ-centered communities that reflect the love and truth of the gospel. Its ongoing impact is a testament to the importance of equipping leaders to serve with faithfulness and grace.