A Lament 

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I lament the silence
that is not of prayer
but of speechlessness*

I lament the neglect
that abuses the soul
and silences the powerless

I lament the fear
that perpetuates the silence —
unprotective, it fails to bring life**

 

*These two types of silences are discussed in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, a classic book on Christian community suggested to me by Rod Schellenberg. I understood the difference to be between a fearful silence (when one should speak) and a patient/quiet silence as shown by Jesus at his trial. 

** Psalm 23 and John 10 speak of the true Shepherd who lays his life down for the sheep. The rest of us, on occasion, will struggle to follow such a compassionate and courageous response.  

Jacqueline Block
is a member of the developmental leadership team for SKMB and a member at West Portal Church, Saskatoon.

Find past prayers here:

https://mbherald.com/category/faith-life/prayer/

 

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