Jesus, whose love took the shape of a cross:
in the hour of deepest agony
your mother and your beloved disciple
did not flee,
but stood beside you.
You call us to pour out our lives in service
to others,
yet the suffering of your people seems
to have no end.
When we feel numb and helpless
at the horror,
remind us of Mary, the unnamed women,
And John—
who could not save you from death,
but did not leave you to face it alone.
Strengthen us in keeping vigil;
have mercy upon us all.
Amen.
From Share Your Bread, copyright ©2000 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
