A Prayer for Loneliness

God who sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6), you found Hagar alone in the wilderness, and she called you the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13). See me tonight, in this quiet that has gone on too long. Your Son knew this too — sleeping friends, an empty garden, the cup he drank alone (Matthew 26:40) — so you understand loneliness from the inside. You have promised: I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Lo, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). Be company to me now, and lead me gently back toward your people, for it is not good that I should be alone (Genesis 2:18). Amen.