Definition: Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Lamentations 3:8. It's a really powerful and sad passage about feeling hopeless and frustrated. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a feeling of intense sadness and frustration when you try to communicate with God, but He seems to ignore or completely dismiss your pleas. It suggests a sense that your prayers aren't heard or answered. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "Lamentations 3:8" : This is the verse itself – it’s from a book of Psalms that describes a time of great sorrow and despair. “Also when I cry and shout” : This highlights the intensity of your effort. You're actively trying to reach out to God, expressing your pain or need. The word "cry" shows you are feeling deeply upset. “Shout” emphasizes how forceful you are in your communication. “He shutteth out my prayer” : This is the key part. "Shutteth out" means to discard, ignore, or completely reject something. It’s like He's pulling away from your plea. What does this mean practically? It speaks to a feeling of: Disappointment: You’re hoping for a positive response but it doesn’t come. Frustration: You're putting energy into something that isn’t yielding results. Hopelessness: It can feel like there's no way to make things better, and you might start to believe your problems are unsolvable. The Context in Lamentations This verse is part of a larger story within the book of Lamentations. It describes the suffering of Israel after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The author (who is essentially writing from the perspective of someone experiencing this sadness) expresses their grief and despair over the loss of hope and security. In essence, it's a reminder that even when you’re trying to connect with God, sometimes He doesn’t respond in the way we expect. Important Note: This verse isn’t meant to discourage you from praying. It's about acknowledging your feelings of sadness and frustration when you pray. It’s a call for understanding and perhaps a deeper look at why your prayers might not be answered – maybe there’s something else going on that we don’t see. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Relate it to a specific situation in your life?