Sunday, February 17, 2008
Offered by Dana Ferguson, Executive Associate Pastor

God of all ages, of what has been and what should not have been, of what was hoped for and what was once unimaginable, of what might be and what can be, we lift our eyes from loss and ask from whence shall our help come? The news of recent days and recent weeks has left us shaken and broken. We are here stumbling over words to make of them prayers. In the midst of death and loss, we shall speak no bumbling words explaining to you our brave understanding of the horrid things that have happened. We have no such understanding.

So, confused and hurting we come to you. Comfort of the comfortless, hope of the hopeless, make your voice ring in our ears and echo in the empty places of this nation. Say to us and to this world, our help comes from you. For you alone can satisfy all of our longings that earth cannot.

What once seemed ordinary activities of the day—a visit to the shopping mall;
what has long been a civic duty—a city council meeting;
what has often been the dream of parents—children off to college;
have become activities that evoke fear.
Beyond these, loved ones wait for news of their family members disappeared in a moment of life. Parents listen to what appear to be remorseless confessions of a killer with no regard for life.

Draw all who grieve this day to the well of faith that has sustained generations through all times, through terror and trauma, violence and vengeance. Speak tenderly to broken hearts. Bathe hurts with the balm of your kindness. Bind wounds with the cloth of your grace.

There are many who are angry. Fashion, we pray, the strength of their passion into energy not to destroy but to build, not to lash out in retaliation but to reach out in compassion. There are many who are bitter. Transform that bitterness, O God, into a resolve to make of this world a safer place to live. Help us to examine customs and practices, regulations and laws, for opportunities to make our world a safer place for those who innocently go about their lives. We give you thanks for law enforcement officials, civic leaders, first responders, and medical personnel. As we go into the days ahead, may they and those who have suffered recent and long-ago loss lead us into being a safer, more intentional nation.

Bless all of your servants who will care for those who are hurting: grant a gentle touch that is your touch; grant compassionate words that are your words; grant strength of presence that is your strong presence.

Fill us and the many who grieve with the hope of life yet to live and dreams yet to dream, in this life and the next. Bring quickly, we pray, the day when senseless death shall be no more, when weeping and crying shall be no more, and when our questions will no more go unanswered. For this day of living, we thank you for signs of hope: Community yet gathering, church yet praying, families yet embracing, children yet laughing. Make us stronger to build a world full of love and compassion, hope and promise, that it might be known through the actions of the people of this world that goodness is stronger than evil, love is stronger than hate, light is stronger than darkness, life is strong than death. For we pray this and all things for the sake of your people and in the strong name of Jesus Christ, praying together, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church