When the weight of grief is too difficult to bear, the love of those surrounding us can slowly lift each rock, one by one, day by day. I am not grieving, but others around me are, and I weep with them. My heart fills with God’s love so I can walk alongside and help carry these stones away. But there are so many!
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! I wait for the LORD. My soul waits, and in his word I hope. For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. – from Psalm 130
One of my friends, a physician, mentioned how meaningful it is for her to provide physical, healing touch in a world where positive human touch is less frequently experienced. By being present, listening and caring, we can be God’s healing touch in a world filled with grief. God gives us the strength we need to lift each other’s burdens while he enfolds us all in his loving arms.
We come to you for healing, Lord, of body, mind, and soul, and pray that by your Spirit’s touch we may again be whole.
As once you walked through ancient streets and reached toward those in pain, we know you come among us still with power to heal again.
You touch us through physicians’ skills, through nurses’ gifts of care, and through the love of faithful friends who lift our lives in prayer.
Through nights of pain and wakefulness, through days when strength runs low, grant us your gift of patience, Lord, your calming peace to know.
We come to you, O loving Lord, in our distress and pain, in trust that through our nights and days your grace will heal, sustain. ~ Herman G. Stuempfle Jr.
Bread for the Journey 