I cannot imagine leaving the latest school shooting out of Sunday’s service. We may live have a nation away from Florida, but our schools are being shaken repeatedly by shootings. The country needs to pray for healing and for answers about how to stop the violence.
When the UM News department posted the comments from Florida’s Bishop Carter, I could not ignore it and felt that it provides us the tool we need. Please read and join in prayer:
The statement issued by Florida Area Resident Bishop Ken Carter, who is also the incoming president of the Council of Bishops, reads as follows:
On this Ash Wednesday, our services announced the biblical imperative to “repent and believe the gospel.” In light of today’s shootings, we repent from our participation in a culture of death, we acknowledge the harm we do to others, and we claim the power of the cross that breaks the cycle of violence and retaliation. We also grieve with the communities of Parkland and Coral Springs, Florida, in the deaths of seventeen persons and the wounding of many others on the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. A number of surrounding United Methodist Churches have students at this school, and our connection will support their healing ministry in the days ahead.
Using these words, let us pray together:
Dear God,
We accept the role of being your servants,
But sometimes we cannot be all that we want to be.
We hear the news and cry out for answers,
And we forget to turn it over to you.
We feel anger boil up within us and we scream,
As we try to renew our faith during Lent.
Let us begin with Bishop Carter’s words:
“In light of this week’s shootings, we repent
from our participation in a culture of death,
we acknowledge the harm we do to others,
and we claim the power of the cross
that breaks the cycle of violence and retaliation.
We also grieve with the communities
of Parkland and Coral Springs, Florida,
in the deaths of seventeen persons
and the wounding of many others. . .”
Guide us in our prayer life
To share our pain and to hear your words.
Guide us in our scripture reading
To find wisdom and encouragement.
Guide us in our fellowship
To love one another,
To make disciples of others,
And To transform this hurting world
So all my know grace and love
Now and forever through your son, Jesus Christ.–Amen
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