For Boston and West (April 2013)

Oh Lord, it has been a hard week,
            and it is only Thursday.
Just as we were beginning to regain
            our footing from Monday,
we were thrown back to our knees
            again last night.

Lord, our minds are filled
            by video clips played over and over:
            explosions, debris, and people dying.
And by statistics reported as if
            numbers could ever represent
            people made in your image.

And Lord, there is so much we do not know:
            Who? Why? What’s next?
Was the explosion last night
            just a terrible coincidence?
We are fearful and reminded
            of our own vulnerability.

But Lord, while we are on our knees,
            we ask for your presence
among those who need it most:
            parents bereaved, children grieving,
            families rushing to be together.
And we thank you for those who
            just keep running toward danger to help,
            even while they shepherd us to safety.

Lord, we know that our land is far from perfect
            and that so often we cause you great grief.
We have no business asking your help
            on the basis of our goodness.
So we can only ask because of your goodness,
            because of what you have said
to be true of yourself:
            that your steadfast love is never ceasing,
            your mercies never come to an end.

We need your love and mercy
            among those who are hurting.
We ask your strength and stamina
            among those who are helping.
Above all, we need your peace
            even as we ask for your justice.

Amen

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