Last week 8 people were killed by a gunman in Atlanta. Six were Asian. A racist act of violence against Asian people. In the last year reported hate crimes/acts of violence directed towards Asian people increased 150%. How many went not reported?

This week in Colorado a man walked into a grocery store and killed 10 people including a police officer. On social media the question was raised “Are we going back to normal?”

Gun violence or any violence is never “normal” nor acceptable.  Unfortunately, the best we can do when confronted by these acts of cruelty is to offer our thoughts and prayers to those caught in the violent behavior.

YET As people of faith we are required to pray for the families and friends of those who were killed and injured. May they be comforted.

AND we pray…notice the word AND. Our prayers must be more. We cannot stop with words of comfort. We have stopped there too many times.

AND we pray for God to empower us  to speak out against racism and violence. We pray for God to inspire us to call for action from our government to take bold steps to stop violence, to protect the vulnerable and to work for all the people.  AND we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us and direct us to the ways we, as individuals and congregations, can do our part in ending racism in our communities.

Let us pray:

Gracious God by day and by night we pour out our prayer to you.

We think we are yearning for “normal”. We really are longing for is hope.  Each day the news tells the grim story of the pandemic or of violence toward the Asian population or another shooting and so much more. 

We long for hope.  Hope that one day we will connect to each other in person. Hope that one day people of color will not be fearful of being out in the community. Hope that we do not have to participate another prayer vigil because of violence.  Hope that love will overwhelm us all.

Until that day, Gracious God, keep us working and praying each day for the time when your justice will roll down like waters, and your righteousness like and ever-flowing stream.

Replenish our strength and our resolve to speak out against racism and violence. Remind us that we are the people of peace that the world needs to see.  Fill us with that peace so that we can honestly say “peace to your house” to all we meet.

Mighty and merciful God, lover of justice and equity, you call us to support the weak, to help those who suffer, and to honor all people.  By the power of your Holy Spirit, make us advocates for those whose voices are marginalized and silenced.  Grant us strength and resilience in these challenging and complicated times.

Fill us with the peace that passes all understanding, the deep peace of Jesus Christ our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.