A PERSONAL PRAYER

God,

Last week, a friend passed away. He was a deeply generous and loyal friend, and I am so grateful to you for putting him in my life. He and I were so different in so many ways but had been through many things together. We worked side by side on projects. We went through loss and renewal, and he was the picture of resilience, never giving up, fighting all the way. But through all of it, I remember the laughter. Lots of laughter.

Thank you for laughter, God. Laughter at how people are. The laughter that comes from a place inside, knowing that even when things are difficult, you are still with us. Laughter that binds people together. Healthy laughter that is a sign of the kingdom of God within us. Your scripture says you turn our mourning to dancing, that “our mouths will be filled with laughter” because of what you have done for us, that the woman wisdom knows how to “laugh at the time to come.”

So this week, God, I thank you for laughter with friends and family, for dancing and celebration, for joy. Amen.