O Holy
One,
These
past few days have been difficult to say the least.
From
our televisions, phones, and tablets,
We
watched in horror,
As
a massacre of hate and violence,
Shattered
the joyous celebration in Nice, France.
O
Sheltering Presence,
Comfort
the bereaved,
Heal
the afflicted,
And
guide all those who work to protect the innocent.
O
God of love,
In
Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas,
violence has erupted.
May
your love,
Heal
our broken hearts.
May
your compassion,
Mend
our anger.
May
your call for righteousness,
Impel
us to join hands:
To
end all gun violence,
To
combat all racism,
and
to lessen our distrust of our fellow human beings.
May
peace come soon,
Around
the world, throughout our cities, and in our hearts.
And
let us say, Amen.
