A post-Easter prayer

A jet goes down. A ferry sinks.
A semi hits a bus.
There’s a shooting at an Army base again.
A student stabs his classmates.
A landslide buries scores.
The headlines of the past month have been grim.

Their pain feels like Good Friday.
Why has God forsaken them?
The joy of Easter’s hidden in a tomb.
The fear of waiting nightmares
robs the weary of their sleep
as they brace to face the fiery breath of gloom.

Risen Christ, please hold the hurting
with Your wounded nail-pierced hands.
Having suffered, You can help the suffering.
May Your empathy and comfort
offer hope amid despair.
May Your presence prompt their broken hearts to sing.