The Evangelical Alliance has released a spoken word film addressing the grief caused by COVID-19. ‘Lament’ is written and performed by author and evangelist Phil Knox.
The film was produced to support the UK church in addressing the grief and challenges caused by the pandemic, and in sharing the message of hope Christianity brings.
Knox, who’s the Evangelical Alliance’s head of mission to young adults told Premier about the inspiration behind the piece:
"Well, I guess like all of us, I've just really struggled during the season, you know, very early on my my brother in law died of cancer. Then in the summer in June, my mum also died of cancer and alongside that wrestling with social distancing, uncertainty, bereavement, homeschooling, pain, loss, anxiety, and and I guess, you know, coming towards hopefully what is the end of this Coronavirus period, willing to really reflect and, and just lament what's what we've lost.
"Within that, you know, the versus at the end of the lament piece from Lamentations three, just meant so much to me over the years and represent a real hope to cling to, and a foundation to stand on. And so a lot of that was the kind of inspiration behind it and, and throughout it all, throughout all the pain, all the challenge. You know, I've been absolutely convinced that our deepest hope isn't in herd immunity, or a vaccine or even the NHS or, or some kind of roadmap out of this, our deepest hope has been in Jesus. And so that that's what that's been the kind of inspiration behind the piece."
The Evangelical Alliance said in a statement:“‘Lament’ is a cry of protest and loss, expressing the anxiety and grief brought about by the past year, as well as expressing the hope found in the Christian faith. In the film, Knox references a biblical refrain used to express grief, “How long, O Lord?”, to acknowledge the frustration, pain and unrest experienced by many in the church and wider society.”
The flim is available so that churches can use it during online services. Click here for more info.
