Sunday, June 12, 2016

Prayers for Orlando in Light of Mass Shooting on June 12, 2016

A word from our Pastor on the occasion of the mass shootings in Orlando on June 12, 2016:

Please join me in prayer for the families of those who have been killed or wounded in Orlando this morning.  President Obama has identified this the worst mass shooting in American history.  We know it comes on the heels of too many mass shootings over the course of recent decades.  Our hearts grieve and mourn with victims and survivors of all such attacks.  Even as we give thanks for the many first responders who put their lives on the line and are feverishly at work for life.



The President has described this attack as an act of terror and hate.  As a religious leader in our community I feel compelled to underscore the need for courage and love. Our Christian faith bolsters our commitment to turn away from all hatred and fear.  Our faith teaches that all human beings are precious and all bear the imprint of the image of God.  

That imprint of God is on all people. It is not restricted to straight people, Christian people, or any other subset of humanity. The Creator's mark is on us all. It is firmly placed upon the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gendered persons (many of whom are active and committed people of faith).  It is on people of every philosophy and religion – including our Muslim neighbors who faithfully live beside us in community. I highlight this common blessing with emphasis on orientation and religion because of the horrible details in this particular attack.

Please join me in prayer for our leaders as America seeks ways to avoid the perpetuation of such violence.  Our nation is certainly in need of vigilance. But we also are in desperate need of calm and wisdom.

Our congregation has learned how to live faithfully together even when there are issues where we find ourselves in disagreement.  But our disagreements have never lead us down pathways of fear or hate.  My prayer is that our model of faithful forbearance and mutual respect will offer some small inspiration for our community. 

Because events such as this cause my emotions to be quite close to the surface, I offer prayers that were previously written and included in our Presbyterian Book of Common worship.  They were written for times of National Crisis and also as a cry for justice.  I invite you into some time for prayer today.  May our prayers be joined with others in a way that heals, calms and strengthens.

Brian Paulson, Pastor of the First Presybterian Church of Libertyville
(This is a timely pastoral letter that does not reflect an action of our governing Session.)

God of ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. Give us your light and your truth to guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that the barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease, and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.