Dear readers,

Imagine you are Job. A life seemingly firmly rooted in God’s hands is crumbling before your eyes. Everything you worked for, all the blessings bestowed upon you, suddenly turn to dust. And the incomprehensible part is that there seems to be neither a clear reason nor an apparent purpose.

Years ago, a school bus accident ended in a tragedy that led an atheist to say such events could be expected in a senseless world. But for us, who believe in God, this answer makes no sense. Job, a faithful servant of God, couldn’t accept this explanation either. His heart was filled with extreme sorrow and the inevitable questions that such suffering brings.

Let’s take a look at Job 3:1-10: How did Job express his sorrow here? And in what ways could we identify with his words? “Then Job began to speak. He cursed the day of his birth and said, ‘Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, “A man is conceived.” Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it. Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. That night—let thick darkness seize it! Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months. Behold, let that night be barren; let no joyful cry enter it. Let those curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up Leviathan. Let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none, nor see the eyelids of the morning—because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hide trouble from my eyes.'” (Job 3:1-10)

The gift of life, given by God himself, is a wonder that even modern science marvels at. We exist because God created us (Acts 17:28; Revelation 4:11). Yet, the question remains: Why do we live? Science doesn’t have a unified answer, and in desperate moments, we might question the value of our existence.

In his despair, Job expressed the wish never to have been born. Have you ever had similar thoughts? Moments when you wished life didn’t exist to escape the inevitable pains of this fallen world?

In these dark moments, it’s important to remember that hope lives within us. Have you ever found yourself in such despair only to later realize that it gets better? The prospect of it getting better is our hope, even in the darkest hours.

Together, let’s navigate through these deep waters, confront the shadow of despair, and seek hope. Life may sometimes present seemingly unsolvable puzzles, but together we can find the answers.

Merciful God,

In this hour of reflection and shared contemplation, we stand before you like Job, whose life was shaken by painful losses. We think of moments of despair when the world around us seems to sink into darkness, and the meaning of life is questioned.

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.

We confess that the gift of life is a miracle created by you. May your love and grace comfort us in times of despair and answer the questions about the meaning of our existence. Let us recognize that hope lives within us, even when the shadow of despair threatens to overwhelm us.

Together, we traverse the deep waters of pain and doubt, searching for light and hope. Help us understand the puzzles of life and recognize the truth that you are above all, even when we cannot fully grasp the reasons for our suffering.

In empathy and hope, we conclude this prayer, knowing that you accompany us on this journey through the shadows of despair. With love and humility, we trust that you will enlighten our hearts and guide us through every darkness. Amen.

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