Jesus, you walked a dark path;
you took on the suffering of the world as your own.
And so today we pray for all who suffer.
We see your face in the face of those in captivity,
and so we pray for inmates in _________________ [our local jail]
whose pain is muffled by high walls and barbed wire.
We see your face in the face of those unjustly accused,
and so we pray for those who are being held without a trial,
who fear they will not get out alive.
We see your face in those who are tortured,
and so we pray for all who are chained,
and whose bodies flinch with every blow.
We see your face in all who are condemned to death,
and so we pray for those in our world who are awaiting execution.
We see your face in all who are dying,
and so we pray for all who are taking their last breath today.
On this day of sorrow, we journey with you.
Thank you for suffering with us and for us.
You know the torment of rejection
and the pain that our frail human bodies can endure.
Thank you that you are with this sorry world
as we wait for resurrection.
Amen.
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I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.