A Voice Is Heard in America

A Time of Lament 

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and wailing.
It’s Rachel crying for her children;
she refuses to be consoled,
because her children are no more. (Jeremiah 31:15 CEB)

A voice is heard in America,
weeping and wailing.
It’s us O Lord crying for our children;
we refuse to be consoled,
because our children are under threat.

Everyday in our nation 4 children are killed by abuse or neglect.
Each one is God’s own.
They are meant for a life of love, laughter, and hope.

Everyday in our nation 7 children or teens commit suicide.
Each one is God’s own.
They are meant for a life of love, laughter, and hope.

Everyday in our nation 8 children or teens are killed with a gun.
Each one is God’s own.
They are meant for a life of love, laughter, and hope.

Keep your voice from crying
and your eyes from weeping,
because your endurance
will be rewarded,
declares the LORD…

There’s hope for your future,
declares the LORD.
Your children will return home! (Jeremiah 31:16-17 CEB)

*Invocation

We are weeping and wailing at the harm that comes to our children.
We are disheartened by the divisions among us that cause us all harm.

Be with us in this hour.
Heal our hearts and show us the way
to provide love, laughter, and hope for
every child and every adult. Amen.

About Tim Graves

Tim is a runner, a hiker, a devoted husband, a father of two adult children and their spouses, and Granddaddy to four perfect children. Retired from early childhood education and ministry, Tim writes from his home in rural northwest Connecticut or wherever life takes him.