Lamentations reveals the suffering hearts of the Israelites.  True, they had been warned for many centuries about their wandering away from God, and the punishment that they faced they largely brought upon themselves, but you can't read the book and not feel the pain.  I particularly like 5:21a, "Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored!"  That should be the cry of any one of us who is going through pain or difficulty.  "Restore us, Lord.  Bring us hope.  Bring us back to the place where we know your presence and we know your guiding hand.  Help us, Lord, because without you, we are nothing."  It's an acknowledgement of failure and a plea that our gracious heavenly Father will incline His ear and hear our need.  In that moment, hopefully He will respond.