Remembering places affected by tragedy and violence
2 October 2017
Following the tragic and violent events earlier today in Las Vegas and over the weekend in Catalonia and Marseilles, below the Methodist Church offers prayers and readings for you to use by yourself or in groups.
A prayer by the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Loraine N Mellor and Jill Baker:
Loving Lord,
present in all places, at home in all activities,
we pray today for those whose lives have been brutally disturbed:
by the shootings in Las Vegas, the stabbings in Marseilles and the violence in Catalonia.
Bring solace to those who are in turmoil,
bring healing to those who are injured,
bring comfort to those who are bereaved.
Renew the energy of us all to pray for peace
and to work for a kingdom of justice.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
From Michael Pryke, Youth President of the Methodist Church:
"I hoped and prayed that I would not have to write a response to tragedies as these, but it seems that attacks such as those in Las Vegas and Marseilles are becoming a more regular occurrence in today's world. Words cannot convey my feelings today, but I pray for all those involved in these tragic events and for solidarity in these times. I also hold the people of Catalonia in my thoughts and prayers too."
Additional prayers
God of love,
who brought us to birth
and in whose arms we die:
in our grief and shock,
contain and comfort us,
give us hope in our confusion
and embrace us with your love;
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
you embrace us with the arms of love.
In the shadow of death your light shines on us.
We remember before you our sisters and brothers.
May we, with them,
inherit your eternal kingdom,
and rest with you in light and peace.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God of mercy,
from whom we come,
by whose grace we live,
in whose love we are held at the last:
surround us with your presence
that in our grief and loss
we may find assurance and hope
in the One who died for us and rose again,
even your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Readings
John 14:1-6, 27
Jesus said: 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.'
Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'
'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.'
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff -
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
