Dear readers,

Imagine you are in Job’s position. Your life is falling apart, without any apparent reason or meaning. Everything you worked for, all the blessings bestowed upon you, are dissolving before your eyes. It seems as if the universe is in chaotic disarray, without a clear direction or purpose.

Years ago, a tragic school bus accident occurred, resulting in the loss of many innocent children’s lives. An atheist commented that such events could be expected in a senseless world because such a tragedy makes no sense in a world that supposedly has none.

But we know that this answer doesn’t fit for those who believe in God. Even Job, who faithfully followed God, couldn’t accept this explanation. In his deepest sorrow, he had no answers, only extreme grief and inevitable questions.

Let’s read Job 3:11-26: How did Job express his sorrow here, and how can we identify with his words? “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? For then I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept; then I would have been at rest, with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light? There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. There the prisoners are at ease together; they hear not the voice of the taskmaster. The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master. Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For my sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.”

Life, a gift from God, is a wonder that baffles modern science. The definition of “life” is not uniform among scientists, and questions about its origin and purpose often remain unanswered.

In the darkest moments of life, we inevitably question the value of our existence. Not in terms of suicide, but in moments when we wish, like Job, we were never born.

An ancient Greek once said that the best thing for a person besides dying is never to have been born. Life can be so terrible that the idea of not existing appears as relief, especially in the face of the inevitable pains of this fallen world.

Have you ever felt like Job? Have you wished never to have been born? And what was the outcome? Memories of better times that give us hope. In our darkest moments, it’s important to remember that the prospect of it getting better exists.

Together, let’s search for hidden meanings in the shadow of despair and find the hope that can be our light even in the darkest hours.

Merciful God,

In this moment of pause and shared contemplation, we come before you like Job, whose life was shattered by painful losses. The world around us seems to be in chaotic disarray, without a clear reason or purpose, and we seek answers.

Lord, we bring our thoughts and feelings before you, inspired by Job’s words expressing the desire never to have been born. In these moments of darkness, remind us of the hope you bring into our lives, the prospect that it will get better.

The gift of life, given by you, is a wonder that baffles modern science. In times of despair, we question the value of our existence. Let us recognize that hope can be our light even in the darkest hours.

Together, we move through the shadows of despair, searching for hidden meanings and the hope that strengthens us. Help us find answers to life’s questions and recognize the truth that you are above all, even when we cannot fully grasp the reasons for our suffering.

With empathetic connection, we conclude this prayer, aware that you accompany us on this journey through the shadows of despair. With love and humility, we trust that you are our light in the darkness. Amen.

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