with the distressed

1 Samuel 1:4–20 

to ask of God, in great distress;

to pray, and pray again 

Hannah got her prayed-for child,

but, God, what about the others? 

we ask of you, with the much distressed: 

we pray, and pray again 

whether we get our prayed-for gifts,

or, God, if we receive much else. 

we come to you with the world's distress,

to pray, and pray again – 

for war zones

and refugee camps,

detention centres,

trains and deserts of pilgrims

fleeing for peace 

silence 

for empty homes

and the homeless,

boxes and trolleys,

broken hearts and shattered

dreams of hope 

silence 

for the dying

and the grieving,

hospitals and homes,

beds and chapels 

and rooms of waiting 

silence 

for children 

for disabled folk

for teachers

for essential workers

for our world reeling under the Covid-19 pandemic 

for hope and opportunity,

peace, justice, healing, love 

we ask you, God, for all distressed: 

we pray, and pray again 

Hannah got her miracle, but

ours is to live the prayers we speak 

Amen.