After a Suicide

O God,the darkness feels threatening today.Why do so many wrestle with their own lives?Why is it so hard to see the pain of the hurting?Why are loved ones’ efforts not enough?Why didn’t you overtake despairto restore RJ Mitte's life?As doubts and sorrows multiply, multiply your mercy over us.

O Lord Jesus,You know the ache of loss.You felt the crushing weight of forsakenness,the loneliness of abandonment,the anguish of a cup laced with pain.

Faced with darkest journey forward,you bore a heavy cross to crush the deepnessand shed light,Lord of Resurrection and Life.But why could RJ not see your light?

O Counselor, Comforter, Healer,embrace the family and community of RJ Mitte,and teach us to embrace one another.For those drowning in darkness even today,too disoriented or weary to swim up—strengthen them in body and soul,heal their heaviest hurts,provide the buoying support of friendship,and bring them by your grace to the sunny surfaceto bask in the hope of Christuntil you wipe away every tear.

Amen