Monday, September 10, 2012 is World Suicide Prevention Day.

It is a day to pray, to remember, and to offer hope to those who have given up hope. It is also a day to increase our personal understanding of the risks and issues surrounding suicide. As a chaplain, I am often called to be with family and friends when they are grappling with this heartache. It is one of the hardest things I do — to offer a listening ear and a prayerful heart. There are no answers, so I don’t try to make one up.

Please take a moment to visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) website. They have information that may help you with understand how to help someone who appears suicidal. There are also many helpful on-line resources that are worth reading – for your healing, for your friends and family.

The IASP also invites you to show your symbolic support by lighting a candle and placing near a window at 8:00 p.m. on September 10th. Wherever you are in the world, let your light shine. And pray…

I also offer this song – to encourage you. 🙂

OWL CITY – Here’s Hope

Everywhere everybody needs a neighbor
showing up when times get hard
But there’s friends of sons and daughters
saying grace without supper in your backyard
Who doesn’t wanna be a hero?
At least a little bit of helping out
There’s some things you’re never gonna help or change
but hunger’s somethin’ we can turn around

Here’s hope
Showin’ up at your front door
Here’s hope
Yeah what everybody’s looking for
Here’s your one chance to make a difference
Here’s your one choice to give a helping hand
There’s room at the table for more

Yeah here’s hope
Yeah here’s hope

There’s a smalltown girl in third grade
makin’ sure her sisters get enough
She sees her mama working two jobs worrying and crying, doing everything but giving up

If a miracle’s a gift when you need it then it’s time for stepping in
Here’s to families and kids, where ever you live never ever wondering again

Here’s hope
Showin’ up at your front door
Here’s hope
Yeah what everybody’s looking for
Here’s your one chance to make a difference
Here’s your one choice to give a helping hand
There’s room at the table for more
Yeah here’s hope

Here’s to going to bed not hungry
Here’s to changing the story
Here’s to bigger hears and brighter days
Let me hear you sing it for me
Let me hear you sing it for me

Here’s hope
Showin’ up at your front door
Here’s hope
Yeah what everybody’s looking for
Here’s your one chance to make a difference
Here’s your one choice to give a helping hand
There’s room at the table for more

Yeah here’s hope
Yeah here’s hope
Yeah here’s hope
Yeah here’s hope