Remembering places affected by tragedy and violence

Following the tragic and violent events earlier today in LasVegas and over the weekend in Catalonia and Marseilles, below weoffer prayers and readings for you to use by yourself or ingroups.

A prayer by the President and Vice-President of theMethodist Conference, the Revd Loraine N Mellor and JillBaker:

Loving Lord,
present in all places, at home in all activities,
we pray today for those whose lives have been brutallydisturbed:
by the shootings in Las Vegas, the stabbings in Marseilles and theviolence 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 MethodistChurch:

"I hoped and prayed that I would not have to write a response totragedies as these, but it seems that attacks such as those in LasVegas and Marseilles are becoming a more regular occurrence intoday's world. Words cannot convey my feelings today, but I prayfor all those involved in these tragic events and for solidarity inthese times. I also hold the people of Catalonia in my thoughts andprayers too."

Readings and prayers from the Bible and TheMethodist Worship Book

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.

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 manydwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I goto prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place foryou, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where Iam, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place whereI 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 thetruth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except throughme.'

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not giveto you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, anddo 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.

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
Photo: Andy Jackson