God.

The advent readings talk about when you, Jesus, will come another time.

We call it the second coming.
We call it the end times.
Paul called it the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You are going to come and things will get all better.
All that is wrong will be made right.
All that is broken will be made new.
Every tear will be wiped away.

But here’s the thing.

People we know died this week.
People we don’t know died, too.

Why do we need to wait for the second coming?
You are here all the time.
Why do things not change?

Kindle a hope in our hearts, dear God.

Give your comfort to those in grief in ways that they know it is you. And that you weep with them even as you proclaim good news to the broken-hearted.

The good news that says, this is hard, and this isn’t all there is.

Help us rebuild a tiny bit of hope this year,
a confidence that you have not forgotten us,
that you are not angry at our prayers,
that you have come, are here, and will come again.

God, help us.

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Based on readings from Psalm 80, Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, and Mark 13:24-37. And our lives this week.