“How long, O Lord?”

Psalm 13:1

As more and more people get vaccinated and things start to open back up, it appears things are tragically back to normal as we learn of mass shootings at a grocery store in Boulder, a FedEx facility in Atlanta, and a neighborhood on lockdown in Austin. Even as the guilty verdict was being read in the Derek Chauvin trial, police shoot and kill 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant in Columbus, OH. 

This is the normal I didn’t want to return to.  

It is hard to be hopeful with the constant news of gun violence yet it is important we keep from being overwhelmed and falling into despair because that is what keeps us from taking action to end gun violence. Prayer can help. 
It feels controversial to offer prayer in response to gun violence because prayer is used by those who profit from gun violence as a way to keep people from taking action, but I propose prayer is the source of our action. In times of grief, outrage, and despair it is normal to wonder where God is and to turn away from God yet we have been given a form of prayer – lament – to help us turn toward God in difficult times.  
Laments often begin with calling out to God and complaining about God’s absence with the phrase “How long, O Lord.” as in Psalm 13:1- 2:How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, And have sorrow in my heart all day long?
Laments can help us process the pain and the fear we are exposed to again and again by giving voice to what we may not be able to say on our own. If we don’t, this energy can get stuck in our bodies and lead to depression, despair, hopelessness, and even violence. So turn to God and tell God how angry you are and demand that God answer, just as the Psalmist does, “Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!” (Psalm 13:3) and then join us in taking action.  
– Rev. Deanna Hollas, PPF Gun Violence Ministry Coordinator (Presbyterian Peace Fellowship)