Gracious God, again we are faced with the tragedy of gun violence, this week in Dallas, Texas, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Minneapolis, Minnesota. We lift up to you those who lost their lives, confident that you have them in the palm of your hand, in the company of the saints in light.
We turn to the prayers of our tradition…
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with the families of those whose lives have been taken, in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your
goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, page 494)
In the words of prayer attributed to St. Francis, we respond to these acts of violence:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, page 833)