Indeed, let us unite in prayer:
O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people! (Jeremiah 9:1)
O Christ, you wept beside the grave and therefore know the depth of human grief,
Behold our tears for one of our own snatched away from us far too young!
There are no words to express our loss, only pain, only trembling, only sorrow, as we look to you, our eyes blinded with tears:
We lift his mother and dad before you;
We lift his sister before you;
We lift his grandparents before you;
We lift his aunts and uncles and extended family before you;
We lift his friends and schoolmates before you; Indeed, we lift our whole community before you:
Draw us closer to each other and closer to you in our sorrow.
Comfort us in our grief and loneliness.
We turn to you looking for comfort and hope:
Strengthen us that we may place our trust in you and find peace.
Amen.
Most Sincerely,
The Rev. Robert Stump, Pastor
Clearfield Trinity United Methodist Church