A prayer and a lament for today...
Several weeks ago, I posted about my friend Jeff's 3 year old son Ben and his battle with cancer. I received word today that Ben died early this morning. There are no words to express the grief that Jeff and his family feel this day. I simply offer a prayer and a psalm to mark this day.
O God, your love cares for us in life and watches over us in death. We bless you for our Savior's joy in little children and for the assurance that of such is the kingdom of heaven.
In our sorrow, make us strong to commit ourselves, and those we love, to our unfailing care.
In our perplexity, help us to trust where we cannot understand.
In our loneliness, may we remember Ben in love, trusting him to your keeping until the eternal morning breaks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (From the PCUSA Book of Common Worship)
and from Psalm 13:
1How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
4and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
5But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.