A prayer for grieving at Christmas, written by Dina Johnson and read by Kelly Gibbons.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

I came that they may have life and habit abundantly, John 10-10.

I spent the last eight months doing everything I can to keep my faith strong, to trust God.

But this week, I am losing the battle.

I am collapsing under the weight of this year.

The last few days, I find myself simply falling apart.

I can't hold back the tears another moment.

I can't put a smile on my face and pretend I'm doing just fine.

I can't hold the grief in that is filling every inch of my being.

Perhaps you understand.

Perhaps you too feel as if this year has been a nightmare, destroying your peace and security.

Perhaps you feel as if your very life is crumbling, collapsing.

Perhaps you can no longer hold in the tears, no longer pretend everything is just fine.

If you are consumed by grief this Christmas, you are not alone.

Can we just take a moment to pray?

Lord Jesus, I am so overwhelmed.

My heart is heavy, burdened.

The losses this year are crushing me, overcoming my peace and joy.

I know you tell us you are close to the broken hearted, but I don't feel you.

I feel lost, hopeless, abandoned.

I know this is a season, a season that has a beginning and an end,

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