We confess, O God, that we deny reality.
We smother our sufferings, refusing any fellowship with Christ apportioned through pain.
We do not believe your touch will meet us in our pain or sustain us through suffering.
We induce forgetfulness, numbing ourselves with distractions.
We feebly mask our pain, O God, and deaden our nerves to your comfort.
Father of mercies, forgive us for denying our portion in Christ’s sufferings.
Forgive us for shoving aside the comfort found in your arms.
Mend our expectations—we share in Christ’s sufferings and in his comfort.
Teach us to sink into your embrace that we may comfort as we have been comforted by you, the God of all comfort.
Let us remember, Christ delivered, Christ delivers, Christ will deliver again.
