Pastoral Prayer

Rev. Lisa Kay Comingore Smith, Hyattstown Christian Church in Maryland

Let us pray, The followers of Jesus called him Rabbi "Teacher." He taught us to pray saying, "Our Father". The relationship between Mary and the baby Jesus is venerated all over the world. Children are sacred. Mothers and Fathers and teachers are sacred. The child within in of our souls is sacred. We are all being called to bring the most sacred to the house of God. So when that sacred space is wounded, there is a universal cry from all humanity. The world is wounded. We are struggling with our pain and our confusion. The children and the adults, the teachers and the parents the police and the first responders, and all of us who are aware of the killing of the innocents on Friday . . . we come to you for comfort and guidance. We wish we could comfort all those in Newport, Connecticut, we pray for them all most reverently, Lord, God of compassion and righteousness. We are all lost and struggling to comprehend. We want this to stop. We want to know why this happens, and we want it to stop. Dear God, help us to be patient with our sense of righteousness. We want the pain to stop and sometimes truth and awareness takes time. May all those grieving be given the time to mourn, with no one limiting their recovery. Let us all slow down, God and cherish one another. We share with you the souls that move our hearts for compassion and hope: