(I offer this prayer for the victims of the bombings in Boston, and the many lives touched by this tragedy including my dear life-long friend Darin who participated in the Marathon, and was in Boston with his family when the tragedy unfolded ... and I offer this prayer for the victims of violence in corners of the world like Afghanistan where a bomb fell in a rural village on a wedding celebration leaving 20 dead and dozens wounded ... this prayer is for the victims of violence wherever they are found ...)
Holy One ... in moments like this there are few words we can offer ...
The death and destruction takes our breath away and leaves us gasping for hope ...
Today we know the brutal reality of bombs ...
whether they lie hidden in the streets of Boston,
or in the skies over Afghanistan ...
Today we know that bombs respect no life ...
children die ...
women die ...
men die ...
lives are devestated and destroyed ...
blood is shed and bodies shattered ...
... amid the carnage and the suffering whisper Hope O Living One ...
Hear our prayers of thanks for
those who in the face of tragedy offer help and care
those who work to breath hope into desperate places
those who reach out and offer care in the face of violence
those who cry out for peace and Shalom ...
Hear our prayers for those
broken and bloodied
battered and frightened
weeping for their dead and praying for their wounded
Hear our prayers O Loving One
whether those voices cry out in English or Arabic
whether those voices cry out here or half a world away
whether those vocie call upon The Risen Christ or Allah ...
Hear the prayers of your children
who yearn for peace and cry out of an end of violence ...
Loving God into your hands we commend
the people of Boston
the participants of the marathon,
and the emergency personell and ordinary citizens who ran to help ...
into your hands we commend
the victims of violence here and there,
and whereever life is touched and devestated by such senseless acts ...
Hear our prayers O Holy One ... and in your love answer ...
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