It could have been any one of many such episodes, but I was moved to tears recently watching this report by Sky News from the primary school that was bombed at the start of America’s war with Iran.

Grief is part of being human, part of being made in the image of God. But it isn’t always easy to know how to express the grief we feel, whether it is that which comes to us in our own lives, or the sorrow that rises as the Holy Spirit within us leads us in response to the tragedies and trauma that strike other people so horribly.

Part Two of our Patmos: Place of Exile, Place of Revelation album includes many tracks that will help us to sound that grief. It may be a long while since you have listened to these; and if you have never discovered them then you are in for a treat, they are really special. May the Spirit of God draw you to the tracks that you will particularly identify with, and may the prayer that rises release His mercy.

Patmos Tracks – Part Two
Patmos Index of Tracks – Part Two

1   – The Fallout from Loss and Change and not letting the enemy hijack the process
2   – Patmos flushes hidden things to the surface
3   – Developing our trust
4   – The Lord comes in surprising ways
5   – Things that cause grief to go underground
6   – Coming alongside people going through Patmos times
7   – In times of extreme pressure
8   – Taking authority against giants
9   – The Sovereignty of God
10 – Choices that lead to richer insight
11 – What fragrance do we exude through our trials
12 – The Sovereign Lord at work
13 – Recognising the Lord’s dealings with you
14 – God at work in out of the way places
15 – At-one-ness with the Lord
16 – Expressing our concern for others
17 – Stepping out in the face of outright hostility
18 – Gospel seeds
19 – Love is spelt RISK
20 – Prayer that overcomes the power of Envy
21 – The acid test of relationships (1)
22 – The acid test of relationships (2) weeping with those who weep
23 – The heart of the warfare
24 – The Power of Gratitude and the Ministry of Heaven
25 – Testimony to the Power of Prayer from a Soviet Labour Camp
26 – Anointing for Prayer

Because it is so important that we find spiritual ways to express our grief, prayers of lament can be truly godly. The Psalms are full of them! This is a theme we also addressed in this track from Reawakenings.