Prayer of Silence

Our God of joy,
you are also our God
in times of trouble.

And as we mouth these prayers
on behalf of our sick brother
our deepest prayer is but silence,
silence before you, O Lord.

And in that silence
which does not still
but lies beyond
our struggles,
our Why-Gods,
our pain,
our rage,
our death-wishes,
our distress

-- in that silence
we know nothing but trust,
that we are your creatures;
that whatever happens,
the purposes of your will
are greater than
our lives, our health, and our hopes;
and that we have nothing to do
but to offer our tears
as the sacrifice
of the friends and loved ones
to you.

And also our blessings,
forever and ever.
Amen.