God of Pain and God of Promise:
Once again we are stunned by the cruelty and ugliness of gun violence.
Once again our national obsession with guns has led to excruciating pain and death.
Once again we feel broken and helpless and so very, very sad.
Holy One, come to each of us – and give us clarity and compassion.
Wrap your arms around grieving families and terrified victims, and traumatized first responders.
Forgive us for failing to stop this madness.
Forgive us for putting individual rights above community wholeness.
Forgive us for our silence in the face of evil.
Remind us of your promise to never forsake us.
And renew our promises to be agents of reconciliation and healing in this world.
We pray in the name of the One who endured pain and transformed pain into energy for change. Amen
The Rev. Susan R. Andrews
Interim Pastor
Second Presbyterian Church
Serving Others. Changing Lives
4501 Westminster Place
Saint Louis, MO.
314-367-0366