A prayer to STOP the one set on suicide

Almighty God,

You know all things and all beings. You know the one who needs to read these words, even as I do not know. Show this or something else right now as a sign of Your care, as they reach out one last time to be stopped from ending their life.

Whether I was 20 metres and 20 seconds away from my end, or whether it was the concept of the mode I would use, just as it could be suggested by the enemy of life itself, You can suggest to the target of this prayer to STOP.

Whether it is the humble remembrance of children that would be left behind, like it was for me, or some other reminder, I pray for that sign and that reminder to be sent as a siren.

Place a word before them, a memory, a moment of delay, an annoyance, a physical impediment, even a plan that does not work… anything to show this one that they are meant to be alive.

Make meaning even in the mode of self-harm and suicide that You are alive, that You are real, and that You have purposed for this person a destiny—that they simply must remain alive.

Make their pain mean something personal and powerful, Lord of heaven and earth.

Make their silence spring forth on their lips for caring ones to hear.

Make of their lonely contemplation an avenue of connection.

Make of that senselessness they feel of some future hope that’s embodied even now by faith—even if it seems absurd to them now. Help this precious one know that they belong here, in their life, in their living body, as a living person, for such a time as this.

As beacon shines forth occasionally from the wilderness, may this thing here be used for Your covenant purposes to STOP the cutting, the shutting, the using and confusing, the dulling and the culling.

Make what is occurring in this moment right now, in the secrecy of a quiet flurry, something compelling, that this person knows beyond a shadow of doubt that this STOP message is from You, Lord.

And even in the moment that that see that this is from You, Creator God, give them cause to get sustenance, breath for life, hydration, a plan to endure!

… the words, “I CAN” uttered from their lips.

AMEN.

Photo by Creedi Zhong on Unsplash