Holy and Forsaken God,
\nWe come into your presence knowing that you felt utter desperation and loneliness.
\nYou felt isolated and forgotten.
\nYou felt unimaginable pain.
\nSo you are not unfamiliar with our struggles.
\nAnd that brings us comfort.
\nThat brings us hope.<\/p>\n
For those in our congregation who have been wrestling in the long dark night and are contemplating suicide, we pray.<\/p>\n
For those in this place who are survivors: who have lost a friend or family member who suicided, we pray.<\/p>\n
For those here today who have made it through the dark night and are a witness of hope for others, we pray.<\/p>\n
For those who are watching a friend struggle and want to reach out and listen and provide support, we pray.<\/p>\n
For those who cannot understand why another would take their life, who are filled with questions and anger, we pray.<\/p>\n
Holy, Forsaken God, we lift these up to you. Connect us. Help us to listen. Give us courage to speak our truths. And fill us with a hope that will sustain us in the midst of utter desperation. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Holy and Forsaken God, We come into your presence knowing that you felt utter desperation and loneliness. You felt isolated and forgotten. You felt unimaginable pain. So you are not unfamiliar with our struggles. And that brings us comfort. That brings us hope. For those in our congregation who have been wrestling in the long…<\/span><\/p>\n