To weep with those who weep

My friend Ann Ahrens has done something many of us dream of: she has written a book that matters.

I am deeply grateful for Ann's commitment to the biblical practice of lament, and for her enduring friendship over many seasons. Her understanding of lament and its role in the life of the covenant people of God and her willingness to weep with those who weep have profoundly enriched my life and understanding.

As someone who has spent most of her life stuffing her negative emotions before she tries to pray, I have found Ann's scholarship on lament in the Psalms, the life of Jesus, and the New Testament incredibly freeing. She has helped me understand that the safest place to process negative emotions is, in fact, the presence of God.

This is good news for all of us.

Whether you are involved in leading worship at your church, supporting others in seasons of grief and suffering, or simply seeking an authentic relationship with God, this book will bless your soul and help you understand with Ann and others that "worship is not pain denial."

Suffering, Soul Care and Community: The Place of Lament in Corporate Worship by Ann Ahrens is available from Amazon and other booksellers.

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