Commiserate Prayer

 I groaned with visceral pain as I listened to a friend describe what his sister has been going through for the last two years with cancer.  After suffering three bouts of chemo treatment, none of them has worked for her, and now she has to decide whether to attempt a fourth round.

Another friend recently described a lung condition that constantly threatens her life -- not gradually, but all at once, shutting down all the valves so that no breathing is possible.  The average span of life after this diagnosis is three years, and every day, she is conscious of that.  

When I attempt to pray for people like this, my mind often shuts down even while my spirit groans in pain.  I don't know how to pray for them.  Healing, yes; Comfort, yes; Experience of God's closeness, yes; help from family and friends, yes.  But still....nothing I can do or pray seems adequate in the face of their suffering.  

Today I read Psalm 20.  I often use the psalms for prayer, as they express what I cannot say.  And reading this psalm with particular people in mind has made it even more relevant:

May the Lord answer you in time of trial;
may the name of Jacob's God protect you,
sending you help from the holy place,
and giving you support from Zion.

May God remember all your offerings,

receive your sacrifices with favor,

give you your heart's desire,

and fulfill every one of your plans.

May we ring out our joy at your victory,

and raise banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your prayers.

Perhaps this psalm is not really any more "effective," if you will, than my silent groaning, but at least I now feel that I am praying with those who are suffering rather than for them.  I am asking that their prayers be answered, rather than mine.  And somehow, I think that might count for something.