Papua has been in turmoil for decades, even before its integration into the Republic of Indonesia. Ecocide and gross human rights violations have frequently occurred in the land of Papua, while racism and discrimination lurk beyond it. Various forms of struggle or even resistance marked by bloodshed and tears have been undertaken. Yet the suffering of the Papuan people, my Indonesian fellow citizens, has not subsided.
This paper explores lament Psalms as a form of prayer for restoration in the context of Papuan suffering, integrating the symbol of the Red Cross as a sign of resistance and solidarity amid social wounds. Through the theological approach of Walter Brueggemann, the Psalms are understood not merely as expressions of grief, but as prophetic acts that interrupt dominant narratives and open space for theological honesty and transformative hope. Meanwhile, Richard Kearney's narrative imagination offers a hermeneutical framework for reading lament as a story of restoration that moves beyond trauma and opens ethical possibilities for reconciliation. In the context of Papua, wounded by conflict, marginalization, and structural injustice, this paper seeks to affirm that lament can become a spiritual force that drives social-theological healing. Ultimately, it offers a contribution to contextual theology that stands on the side of humanity and justice, especially for Papua.
The commemoration of Human Rights Day 2024 was marked by the planting of a "Red Cross," symbolizing the suffering and long struggle of the Papuan people. The "Red Cross" became part of prayer and lament activities over the ongoing issues affecting Papuan society. The planting of the red cross also signifies "sasi", a customary prohibition that forbids any activity within areas designated under it. In the current context of Papua, the implementation of "sasi" has become a form of resistance against extractive industries.