Product Overview
by Lawrence R. Farley
The Book of Lamentations was written after the Babylonians had invaded the land, slaughtered the populace, and brought about national extinction. What remained for Jerusalem and Judah? The five poems of the book represent the authentic voice of Israel in exile—a mourner wailing over the judgment of God, desperately seeking an audience with Him but finding Him hidden and inaccessible.
In Prayers in the Dark, Fr. Lawrence Farley paraphrases the Book of Lamentations and interprets each passage, following it with a meditation on human suffering—not to explain it but to point a way forward into hope. In the words of the sacred text, we find assurance that we are not unique in our suffering and that the way home to the Kingdom brings pain as well as joy.
About the Author: Archpriest Lawrence Farley is the pastor of St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church (OCA) in Langley, BC, Canada. He received his BA from Trinity College, Toronto, and his MDiv from Wycliffe College, Toronto. A former Anglican priest, he converted to Orthodoxy in 1985 and studied for two years at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary in Pennsylvania. He has published a number of books with Ancient Faith Publishing, including the Orthodox Bible Study Companion series, Let Us Attend, Unquenchable Fire, and A Daily Calendar of Saints.
Praise for Prayers in the Dark: Meditations on Suffering from the Book of Lamentations
"With the heart of a pastor and the gifts of a poet, Fr. Lawrence explores the worst of human suffering as so brutally expressed in the Book of Lamentations. He shows us what we so easily forget—that even the worst suffering is not the end of the story." -Frederica Mathewes-Green, Author of Facing East and At the Corner of East and Now
"Father Lawrence Farley has given us a rare gift: a deeply learned yet pastorally tender exploration of Scripture’s most harrowing book. For anyone walking through their own valley of tears, this book offers companionship, wisdom, and, ultimately, Christ Himself." -Archpriest Geoffrey Ready, Director of Orthodox Christian Studies, Trinity College, University of Toronto
"The Lamentations are poignant and edifying but unfortunately oft neglected, and skillful teaching of the Old Testament calls for clarity without imposing too much on the text. Father Lawrence deftly handles both these truths by bringing his readership a straightforward and accessible exegesis, helping the Scripture speak clearly for itself while distilling its spiritual message. Prayers in the Dark is a commendable contribution to the library of Old Testament devotional studies and a rewarding walk through Ancient Israel’s darkest hours." -Archpriest John E. Parker III, D. Min. Dean, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
"Why is there so much wickedness in the world, and why am I suffering? These questions are at the heart of Fr. Lawrence Farley’s splendid exposition of and meditation on the Lamentations of Jeremiah. Through careful exegesis of the text and warm pastoral application, we are helped to see that there is hope and meaning in our brokenness. In pointing us to Christ’s death and Resurrection, we are reminded that we serve a merciful God who is with us in our suffering. In a time of much hopelessness and despair, Prayers in the Dark provides comfort." -Alexander (Sandy) Finlayson, Retired professor, author of Chief Scottish Man: The Life and Ministry of Thomas Chalmers
Author: Lawrence R. Farley
Publisher: Ancient Faith Publishing
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