Watching the pain…
A prayer…
Oh God, this suffering, to be a witness to it. It seems my own I could bear more easily. At least to cry out against it, bloodily, wrestle it, fight it, put up a great battle.
But this, to be whole and strong, every sense vivid and vulnerable, forced to attend a loved ones suffering. To hear the cries and witness the struggle, yet be powerless to put an end to it. Having to be brave because the sufferer is brave. To be cheerful when your heart is breaking. To live within sight and sound, and touch of this seemingly endless suffering essential to their very existence.
I cry out against it sometimes Lord. Even as I beg deliverance for the sufferer or that some of the torments be put on me instead. Why do you allow it? What earthly good is this suffering??? And why have I been cast in this role?
Then I realize that you are not the author of suffering, but you alone can take our suffering and turn it into some good purpose…..
What that purpose is, I do not know, I only know that it is. Surely for this reason you made me unusually strong, resilient, and enduring. Able to be a comfort if only by not breaking down. Able to share some modicum of my strength. To reach out with Love and Caring.
Lord, when I think I can endure it no longer, let me remember those who did not Flee the Scene of the Cross!! Help me to keep my vigil with suffering as courageously as they kept theirs.
Taken from ‘Listen Lord A Prayer’
“Out of the depths I have cried out to you, Oh Lord.” Psalm130:1
Our prayers may be awkward… Our attempts feeble… But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears and not in the one who says it, Our prayers Do Make a Difference. (Max Lucado)
(For My Friends Barbara and John… your witness of Love and Faith speaks volumes to those around you. )
