Bishop vonRosenberg Issues Statement and Call to Prayer

As Americans, we have become painfully aware this week of the frailty of life and the uncertainty of death. At the same time, we have witnessed and experienced a remarkable outpouring of compassion for one another. We have sensed our common bonds and have known a unity of spirit. At our best, we recognize ourselves – and all people – to be children of the one true God.

However, in times of national crisis, all of us sometimes are tempted to give in to motives unworthy of followers of our Lord and to embrace reactions that mirror other acts of aggression. The threats that may come to us in the future, therefore, are not only to our physical safety but also to our spiritual health.

Therefore, I call us to prayer and to a time of self-examination. May we now – as always – seek the mind of Christ.

May we pray for those who have died and for all who mourn:

"O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servants who have died in the recent tragedies, and grant them an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints" (BCP, p493); and

"Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love" (BCP, p481), through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May we pray for our country and for all nations in God’s creation:

"Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will" (BCP, p258); and

"Guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen" (BCP, p816).

May we pray for our enemies, following the example of Christ:

"O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies:

Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (BCP, p816).

May we pray for forgiveness for any thought or action that draws us away from the love by which Christ would have us live:

"Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (BCP, p393).

Finally, may we remember the words of assurance in the Letter of Paul to the Romans: "I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8: 38-39).

• Statement from Presiding Bishop