A prayer in a time of anger and violence
After the public murders of Charlie Kirk, Iryna Zarutska, a prayer for this moment of outrage and trouble
God, for the families and friends, who have unjustly lost loved ones like Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska through unthinkable acts of violence, we pray.
For Charlie’s wife, daughters, parents, siblings, and his close friends, we pray.
For Iryna's parents, family and friends, we pray.
Father, for our sisters and brothers in the United States and around the world who have been profoundly marked by these moments of terror and violence, we pray.
For the thousands upon thousands of young people who looked to Charlie as an example who are devastated, we pray.
For the thousands of refugees like Iryna, seeking safety and a new start, we pray.
Father, for our friends online who witnessed these acts of inhumanity and diabolical evil, seeing the lives, vitality, and promising futures taken in a moment of terror, we pray.
For those who are afraid, angry, and grieving, because they too share the same beliefs, or have the same hopes, we pray.
For those who are afraid, worried, or helpless, because they walk similar streets, work similar jobs, take similar bus routes, we pray.
God, for a system that seems broken, we pray: that any callous or cruel hands that shape it would be broken off; that careless or inept judges or justices would be turned away.
We pray that righteousness and justice would roll in these situations and a thousand more.
We pray that leaders at every level of every community—political, spiritual, and all other spheres of influence—would stand for truth and justice. Grant them wisdom, sober judgment, courage, and hearts of service.
We pray that you would stay the hands of the wicked from inflicting violence upon the innocent.
Jesus, for the times when we when we have participated in hatred toward others, we ask forgiveness. May it not be in our hearts.
Jesus, for the times we have been silent, and not spoken up against evil, we ask for forgiveness. Give us courage to stand against it.
God, for those who are hurting, we pray.
Father, for those who are afraid, we pray.
Holy Spirit, for those who are angry, we pray.
God of comfort, for those who feel lost, brokenhearted, confused, we pray.
God of wisdom, we ask for wisdom.
God of mercy, we ask for mercy.
Lord of our hearts, we ask for healing in the deepest area of every heart that needs healing.
Father of all, we ask you to empower us to act in justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with you.
God, we commit our families, our homes, our communities, to you. Protect fathers, mothers, children.
Give us courage and wisdom to live in these times. May we be known for living and moving in your way, honouring you and glorifying you always as we do it.
Amen.