Prayers in a time of violence

 

Dear Beloved Parishioners,

In this time of violence and suffering, may we offer up our prayers and also work to end these horrific tragedies.  A prayer from our diocesan commission to end gun violence, and a prayer from our Bishop, Daniel Gutierrez.  

Peter+

A prayer in times of violence

God of all humanity,

in times of violence

we see how inhuman we can be.

We pray for those who, today, are weighed down by grief.

We pray for those who, yesterday, were weighed down by grief.

And the day before,

and all the days before the day before.

We pray, too, for those who help us turn towards justice and peace.

Turn us all towards justice and peace

because we need it.

Amen.

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17-18

God of peace, we remember the children and our siblings killed today in Texas. Following those killed in Buffalo and so many other tragedies. Please let us stop, just stop, adding names to the prayer list. Lord, have mercy. When will our hearts of stone turn into hearts of flesh?

The Rev. Peter Carey

Rector, St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Cathedral Road

Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania