For The Human Family in Holy Week

Only about three hours from where I live, in Overland Park Kansas, a man opened fire at a Jewish assisted living facility yesterday, and killed three people. Closer to home, the apparent shooter lived in Aurora Missouri, and had a long history of white supremacist and seditious activity against the United States. While his known hatred of the Jewish people appears to have been a motive, two of his victims were members of Resurrection Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, a church led by the nationally known Adam Hamilton.

What to say, what to pray at time like this? What words can I possibly come up with on the fly? I turn to The Book of Common Prayer, with its "set" and "formal" prayers, over which faithful men and women prayed with each other, and together discerned what words might be fitting for such sad events. These set prayers teach us to pray, and in their guidance, we discover the deepest desires of our hearts already there on paper. So that is what I offer today.

At the Burial of an Adult

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered:  Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servants and grant them an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

At the Burial of a Child

 O God, whose beloved Son did take little children into his arms and bless them:  Give us grace, we beseech thee, to entrust this child to thy never‑failing care and love, and bring us all to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

For The Human Family 

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.