A Voice in Ramah

A voice was heard in Ramah
Sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted
because they were no more

A voice is heard in Ramah
and in all the places of sadness.
It is the voice of God,
who as a mother,
has seen the pain of her children
and seen beyond it.

"Keep your voice from weeping
and keep your eyes from tears;
for your grieving has been heard
and your work shall be rewarded.

"There is hope for your future.
I have prepared a place for your children
and will keep them in perfect peace,
until the old things have disappeared
and there is new heaven
and there is new earth"

Gracious God,
In your motherly heart,
you share and bear the pain
of all who grieve for lost children.

Keep in your kindness
those whose names are written in our hearts
or on our consciences,
until the day when we see them face to face
and know that our grieving is over
and that all your promises are kept.
Amen.

From Cloth For The Cradle, Iona Community / Wild Good Worship Group. Pages 120 - 121.