When We Don’t Feel Alive: A Prayer of the People

Post Author: Rune Marie Nielsen

Leader: Friends, we come together in chaotic times, holding out hope for resurrection. Just as Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, we too may face doubts and fears. Our faith informs us how our Lord was crucified, drew his last breath, and descended to the dead. Death took Jesus from this world. Whenever we feel confused, angry, sad, or even numb, God shares our frustrations, our longing for good news to look forward to.

Congregation: Lord Jesus, give us life.

Leader: Holy Scripture shows us that there is no life without death and no death without life. We come before God with our own mourning, whether for lost loved ones, for lost communities, for lost jobs, and more. Through the words of the prophets and Jesus’ torment on the cross, we know that God has also endured loss and God mourns with us.

Congregation: Lord Jesus, give us life. 

Leader: We have all experienced despair at some point and feared more pain to come. Jesus suffered for us and Jesus continues to suffer with us. When Jesus’ body on the cross was pierced by a spear, water flowed out of his wound along with the blood. The water of the Spirit keeps flowing and its persistence cannot be stopped.

Congregation: Lord Jesus, give us life. 

A painting assemblage depicts the symbolism of the thistle, a plant associated with suffering. In Christian tradition, the thistle exemplifies the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus’ head before his crucifixion.

Leader: We ask God to renew us in God’s Spirit. Our inner emptiness, our burdens, and worries are not the end for us. God moved across the waters at the beginning of the world. God created life from the emptiness.  And today the Creator is still creating new peace in us. 

Congregation: Lord Jesus, give us life.

Leader: We have many “inner resurrections” throughout our lives. These memories of happiness as well as the moments of serenity yet to come give birth to new hope. God is with us through every emotion, through every feeling of emptiness, every despair and every joy. God will turn our mourning into dancing. Jesus descended to the dead trusting the Father’s promise that he would rise again in glory. 

Congregation: Lord Jesus, thank you for life!