Vidui for those who cannot ask for life

For the ones whose bodies are wracked with illness,
for the ones crippled by pain,
for the ones who whisper, I cannot bear another year. Please — don’t inscribe me, God. Please let me rest.

For the ones whose nights are sleepless,
for the ones who count pills instead of blessings,
for the ones who can’t pray because it hurts too much.

For the ones who hear Book of Life and turn away,
for the ones who long only for peace,
for the ones who ask for an ending to suffering.

We say: you are not forgotten.

You are not alone.

If you cannot pray, may our prayers carry you.
If you cannot sing, may our songs surround you.
If you cannot hope, may our hope lean for you.

And so we hold your confession with ours:

For the pain we could not bear,
For the bodies that betrayed us,
For the nights without rest,
For the mornings without strength.

For the prayers we could not speak,
For the songs we could not sing,
For the hope we could not hold,
For the year ahead we can not imagine.

For longing only for peace,
For wishing for an end to suffering,
For choosing silence over breath.

And when the time comes,
may memory be a blessing.

May those who love us hold our stories tenderly.
May we find small comforts even now —
a hand to hold,
a breath of ease,
a glimpse of mercy.

May we be inscribed in gentleness and in peace.