The story is told that in the aftermath of the death of his son, Martin Luther went to a friend and asked the friend to pray for him. When the friend asked why, Martin Luther is said to have responded that he couldn't talk to God just yet... and his friends prayed for him.
When getting up in the morning is a struggle, when sleep and oblivion is the only way I can make it through a day, when I have gone past anger to despair, when my sorrows overwhelm, I can't pray.
Why, O Lord, did you put eternity in my heart and then put my heart in the hands of mortals?
Why, O Lord, in your benevolence and love, did you allow terrible things to happen to good people?
Like Job before me, Lord, I want an answer.
I'm mad, I'm tired, and I am fed up with the anguish which has struck those around me, those I love.
And from within my anger at you, I still must turn to you.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:42-43
Lord, help us to help those who bear pain and sorrow.
Lord, help us today to pray for those who cannot.
Lord, carry in your arms those who sorrow; bear them up.
Lord, heal the wounds in the anquished filled families.
Lord, give those who mourn the strength to turn to you one more time, to once again lay their burdens at the foot of the cross.
Lord, help us to reflect your love into the eyes of those who weep that we may help them find you again.
Lord, fulfill your promise to those who grieve; we ask you, let them hear your voice tonight. Not tomorrow, not next week, but tonight let them hear your voice. To hear the words you spoke when you walked this earth as a man.
"Be still, I am with you."
"Be not afraid."
"And I will be with you, even to the end of the days."
Jesus, my friend and my savior, my Lord and my master, allow those who mourn to shed the burning tears and then hold the towel to dry their eyes and let them know your embrace. Let them know now, this moment, the warmth of your arms, of your love.
Jesus, we ask you to bring your light into their darkness.
May the joy and the peace that never ends be theirs again as they walk through the vale of tears and into the loving embrace of our savior.
Lord, we share with you our most intimate feelings. For you are our friend.
"What a friend we have in Jesus.
All our sins and grief to bear."
Please join in prayer today for those brothers and sisters who cannot pray.
Amen.