Prayer, day 2785: On the anniversary of the September 11 attacks

Loving One, we put our trust in You, 

for You are our shield and our rest,
ever-present in times of joy and sorrow. 

We place before You
our remembrances of those who have left us:
may your peace and joy shine upon them.
Comfort those who mourn
and strengthen those who falter,
that they may know your healing presence. 

We thank You for those
who are your hands, face, and feet in the world today:
make us more like them.
We thank You for the example of the brave,
who are daily willing to lay their lives on the line
for their brothers and sisters.
We thank you for the example of those
who embody compassion and healing
even in the face of chaos. 

Guide us into ways of justice, benevolence, and truth,
that we may treat others as we wish to be treated.
Place the seal of your blessing, O God,
upon those we now remember to You by name.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2196: A Prayer for Remembrance

Holy One, we come to you in silence
seeking rest and comfort:
let us rest here awhile and take strength.
In the midst of mourning,
may we remember laughter.

In the midst of pain,
may we remember beauty.
In all that tries us,
may we remember your sheltering arms
and cool, sweet mercy.

Give respite to the weary, Lord,
and peace to the troubled,
and light to those who search for a path through this day.

Amen. 

Prayer 1824: On the Eleventh School Shooting This Year

Our help is in the Lord God
who is making the heavens and the earth,
and calling us to turn from darkness
with steadfast love and compassion
for our waywardness.

Holy One, the ground shifts beneath our feet,
and we wonder,
will we fall or will we fly?
Yet your love bears us up,
and leads us in hope and light.

Give us the courage, O Savior,
to stand for right,
for the protection of the vulnerable,
and against the tyranny of fear
that is used to justify violence.

Give us the wisdom, O Spirit of Truth,
to hear Jesus's teaching
that fear begets fear
and the enemy of love is selfishness,
but the way of God
is generosity,
compassion,
and integrity.

O Merciful One,
pour the blessing of your peace
upon our turbulent hearts
that we may be reconciled and enlightened
to live as your children in word and deed.

Extend the shelter and balm of your grace, O Lord,
and relieve us in our trials and cares,
plant your peace in our hearts,
and comfort and heal those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 1711: In response to the news of the Las Vegas shooting

God of Mercy,
pour out your love and comfort
as we kneel before You in prayer.
Draw us toward wisdom
and away from hate and ignorance,
that our faith may be strengthened.
Help us work to heal the wounds
our divisions have inflicted,
and strengthen our will and courage to act.
Lord Jesus, comfort the hurting and the sorrowing,
and lead us to paths of peace and unity.
Accept our prayers
as we lay the burdens of our hearts before You, O God.

Amen.

Prayer 1524- led by Love

Calla lily, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, Carmel, California.

Come, Blessed Redeemer, and be our guide,
for the night is past,
and we seek to abide with you this day.
May we walk in gentleness and love with each other,
and seek to serve God in all persons.
May we be led by the Love
which sustains all the earth,
and be strengthened to work for justice and truth.
May we be witnesses in compassion,
healing the wounds of injustice and enmity,
for the sake of Christ our Savior.
May we be led by the Holy Spirit to newness of life,
to see with the eyes of our hearts
the unity of all creation.

Lord Jesus, abide with those who work,
or watch,
or weep this day,
and strengthen those whose faith is known to you alone.
Pour out the balm of your mercy
upon all who seek their way,
and upon those whom we remember before You, as we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 1519- for hope in the dawn

The rising sun unveils the beauty of God's creation before us, even after the darkest night.

Lord of Love, who divides night from day,
and watches over us as a mother hen over her children,
grant us grace and peace.
Each breath we have is a gift from You, O Creator;
we live and move and have our being
grounded in your Love.

You are our ever-present help, O God,
and we turn to You
as You hold our souls within your saving hand.
Blessed Jesus, who wept for his friend Lazarus,
comfort those who mourn,
and bring healing to the broken-hearted.
Holy Spirit, come,
kindle your light in those whose hope is faltering,
that they may see to find their way home.

Merciful One, we lay our hearts open before You:
pour your blessing over those whom we remember before You, we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 1027- in times of trouble

Archangel Michael, from Mont St Michel, Paris.

Almighty One, we rise to worship You, and praise your saving help in all creation. Send your angels, O Holy God, to spread your message of peace and hope into the darkest corners of the human heart. 

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us and grant that we walk in peace and faithfulness forever. Walk with us this day, O God, that we may not wander from paths of righteousness. Lord Jesus, be with those who weep, suffer, and mourn, and grant them your comfort and peace, we pray. 

Let us gather in the house of the Lord, our eternal home, and lift up our hopes and prayers in faithfulness. Merciful God, accept our offered prayers from the depths of our hearts, especially for these beloveds.

Amen.

Prayer 1026- God is our refuge

(inspired by Psalm 31)

In You, O God, do we take refuge:

our trust is in You as we cry out in distress.

Even when the darkness surrounds us,

when walls close in upon us,

You are our mighty fortress.

Preserve us within the storms of life,

for though the tempest rages about us,

You are our God.

Mighty winds may blow and howl,

but You,

O God,

are our rock of refuge and stronghold to keep us safe.

For You take heed of our souls' distress

and will never give us up to the power of darkness and despair.

We rest in the hands of the Almighty:

we rejoice in your mercy and lovingkindness.

Watch over your children, we pray,

and embrace those who rest within You, especially:

Prayer 116: A Prayer for Those Who Mourn

Holy One, we come to you in silence
seeking rest and comfort:
let us rest here awhile and take strength.
In the midst of mourning,
may we remember laughter.

In the midst of pain,
may we remember beauty.
In all that tries us,
may we remember your sheltering arms
and cool, sweet mercy.

Give respite to the weary, Lord,
and peace to the troubled,
and light to those who search for a path through this day.

Amen. 

A Prayer for the Death of a Child

Come, Holy One, come.
Come to those who are weary,
and need rest and relief.
Come to those who mourn.

Loving God,
we turn to you in times of heartbreak and grief.
We know that your thoughts are not our thoughts,
and you are too high for us to comprehend.
But you, Loving One, suffer with us
and know our pains,
as we are your very own.
We know you bend your heart to those
who cry out to you.

Send out your Spirit
upon those who mourn a loss beyond comprehension,
and give us guidance to do what we can
to love them through these days and hours.

Amen, amen, amen.



For Delia Fader, may she rest in peace and rise in glory,
and for her parents and her sister,
and all her family and friends.