What can we do but weep, Lord God?
We cry out with Hagar for all the children whose mothers cannot provide them with food or water or shelter.
We howl lament like Jacob, his face buried in the torn and bloody clothes of Joseph, for sons lost and thought dead.
We cry bitter tears with Rachel and all those whose children are no more.
Like Mary holding the body of her boy, cradle in your arms Alyan and Galip as we mourn for all the waves of suffering breaking upon the shores of creation.
Almighty, compassionate and all-powerful God, we plead for help. Hear the wailing of your people and intervene. Make a way where there seems no way. Prepare a room where innkeepers and gatekeepers and rule makers have said there is no room. Reunite families so that fathers can embrace sons they never thought they would see again. Roll away all that stones that thwart your resurrection power and bring life where death has claimed a false and fleeting victory.
Do not let us forget that you can feed 5,000 with our small offerings. Remind us that with faith we can move mountains. Convict us that through Christ all things are possible. Take our tears mingled with those all around the world and make of us the salt of the earth. Turn our horror into action, our grief into advocacy, our mourning into a powerful force for change. Grant us the faith and the courage to welcome the little children, the very ones to whom your kingdom belongs, the very one blessed and loved by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for it is in his name that we pray.
