Holy Comforter, we come to you acknowledging our shock and loss
This tragedy stirs in us tears, fears, bewilderment and outrage
We recall past wounds, crimes and heartache
Help us lift our first feelings of fear, despair and rage to You
Slow our tongues, quicken our minds, awake our better selves
Guide us along your path of justice, peace and mercy
God of Healing, bring comfort to those mourning
Strengthen the injured: heal their bodies, minds and souls
Be with those traumatized by this day and past injuries, stresses and losses
Assist each hand working to heal our injured brothers and sisters
Bring courage, comfort, and insight to our first responders, military and civil leaders
Free us from acrimony, rashness, meanness, and division.
Strengthen us with moral courage, patience for justice, and bravery to live beyond fear
Rally us to stand together
Giver of Life, we can’t grasp why anyone despises your wonderful gift of life
We fail to comprehend those who want to birth fear
We churn in anger and bend in sadness at such senseless evil
We reject the godless inhumanity that takes your good gift of life from our neighbors
We entrust the promoters and perpetrators of such violence to your perfect mercy and judgment.
God of Wisdom, let us remember:
only goodness conquers evil
only light ends night
hate only births hate and vengeance regurgitates revenge
Almighty Lord, You forgive and judge
We dwell in imperfect knowledge and understanding
Still, you call us to defend the widow and rescue the oppressed
Give us wisdom, compassion and courage
Free us from our patterns of sin, ignorance and rashness which obscure your path forward
Forgive us for the ways we fail to love our neighbors and you
Equip us for the toilsome labor of love and justice
Change us so that your kingdom might come, and your will be done in our lives as in heaven.
Amen.