God the Father, You gave the Law that Your people might live in peace,
Have mercy upon us.
God the Son, You suffered violence for the sake of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
God the Holy Spirit, You bind us together in a community of love,
Have mercy upon us.
Holy Trinity, One God, You model for us the perfect and holy relationship in which You intend for all people to live:
Have mercy upon us.
For all victims of violence, and particularly for those affected by the shootings throughout the world, especially in our schools.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have been injured, that they might be restored to health, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are afraid, that they may know Your perfect love which casts out fear, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who mourn, that they may be comforted in their distress, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who have died, that they may be received into Your compassionate embrace, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the first responders, firefighters, chaplains, nurses, and all others who work to restore order, heal the wounded, and care for the needs of the community, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all volunteers who give of their time and resources to meet the needs of those affected by this tragedy, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For leaders, both in the Church and in the government, who strive for greater peace, compassion, and understanding in the world, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
That the world may one day be free of violence, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
That war and bloodshed may one day be no more, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
That we may no longer desire revenge when we are wronged, but Your justice, which is mercy and grace, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
That each of us might be empowered and equipped to work toward a just and peaceful society, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
That all people might be united to seek the cause of Your Kingdom, we pray to You, O Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
We ask Your forgiveness for the ways in which we ourselves are complicit in the problem of violence in the world.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for any harm we have done to one another.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for any unkind words we have spoken against one another.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for any prejudice, bitterness, or hate we harbor in our hearts.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for any ill we have wished upon one another.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for the times when we have repaid evil for evil.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for the times when we have been slow to forgive.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We ask Your forgiveness for all we do, think, and say which falls short of Your command to us to love one another.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us,
And help us to show mercy to one another.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed by Your name: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.
O God, You made us in Your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus Your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish Your purposes on earth; that, in
Your good time, all nations and races may serve You in
harmony around Your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Litany written by Anna Howell.
House of Grace 