The Rev. Dixie Brachlow
Ashland Presbyterian Church, Ashland, VA

Leader: When the tomb looms large before our eyes, remind us, Lord, who we are:

People: We are children of the resurrection; the place of death will not hold us.

Leader: We are the painters of the rainbows; the shadow of death will not daunt us.

People: We are the breakers of loaves and fishes; the taste of death will not defile us.

Leader: We are the raisers of the dead; the power of death will not defy us.

People: We are the people of Pentecost; the spirit of death will not destroy us!

ALL: God is our refuge and our strength. We gather in the power and sure promise of resurrection

(adapted from Phyllis Cole and Everett Tilson, Litanies and Other Prayers, Year C, Abingdon Press: Nashville, 1991, pp. 173-174).

This is my adaptation of a prayer that came to me over internet, with no named writer.

Dear God, our Hope,

We are profoundly saddened and shocked by the alarms of the crisis our country is facing. This great nation is founded in the belief that "In God We Trust" and as the "Land of the Free". Have mercy on those suffering, hurting and in fear. Give wisdom and strength and courage to those who are assisting, comforting their own broken spirits as they face the terrible destruction.  May the forces of evil be broken by your power, and the terrible wounds of the day's events allow our whole people to come to you for comfort and guidance, for peace and renewal. And remind us that death is not the final end. Make us humble before thee, our strength and refuge. Give wisdom to our President and our leaders and bring your comforting peace through the power of your Holy Spirit.  Help us to reach out to those that have been affected by this tragedy. 

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. AMEN