Latest death toll from the Sri Lankan terrorist attacks is at 290, with nearly 500 injured. Many of those victims were attacked while attending Easter Services. And Last month on March 15, 50 people were shot and killed by a white supremacist while praying in their Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Closer to home here in the US, just a few weeks ago three Black churches in Louisiana were burned down by a white terrorist. And last year in Pittsburgh 11 people were murdered while praying in a gathering at Tree of Life Synagogue. I’m sure there have been other, less publicized incidents of religious violence and bigotry as well that I am unaware of.

We pray for this violence to end. We pray for the root causes of religious and racial bigotry to end. We pray for terrorism and the hate that fuels it to end. I have written many litanies about terrorism and war, and the fallout and grief that follow them. But today I’m offering this prayer and reflection, in hopes that they may find their way out into the world, to soften hearts, to open ears and minds, and to bring us all closer in to Love’s consciousness.

Love has no bounds. Love sees race and religion, admires their precious beauty and diversity, and flows on regardless. Love encounters each human being with an open heart. Love accepts and embraces all.

God, our hearts break for those killed in the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Louisiana, and Pittsburgh*
The world reels from this violence.
Love has no room for violence and killing.
In fact, Love repudiates violence.

As Christ on the cross has shamed and rebuked death and violence,
So we rebuke these violent attacks,
Instead proclaiming a gospel of peace
And an ethic of reconciling Love.

We pray for the families of the deceased,
That their hearts may draw ever closer to Love.
We pray for the spiritual communities dealing with the aftermath,
That they may be good homes for healing.
And we pray and stand in word and action against religious bigotry,
Offering up Love’s redeeming alternative.

Let us each, in our hearts, cultivate peace,
Each day as we practice prayer,
Engage in service,
Do justice and mercy,
And heed the voices of the suffering oppressed.
Oh God, help us to be Love.

In Love there is no Other.
There is only One.

Amen

*Add other locations of violence as you are aware of them, or God forbid, as they occur.

I am a Texan now, but a good-sized chunk of my heart lives in Louisiana. I half-way grew up there. I have many friends and family there still, and reports from them along with news reports and images that are coming out are terrible. So many homes lost and lives disrupted by a natural disaster which is not a hurricane or an earthquake; just a hell of a lot of rain. Seems so crazy and so sad. And completely devastating for so many. Animals and livestock are dying, entire farms flooded and crops lost, towns completely flooded and abandoned. This story has not been well-covered by mainstream media, and we need to help get the word out about the folks who are in need of help in Louisiana.

My cousin Collin Wade, an attorney based in New Orleans, has compiled a list of items needed for donation that are being accepted by various relief organizations servicing flooded areas of Lousiana. HERE IS THE LINK. Sharing this post and this link helps raise awareness of the needs our brothers and sisters currently have.

In addition, you can pray. By yourself. At your dinner table with your family. With your small groups. In your congregations. Here is a prayer. Join your voice with us.

(This is a litany for Louisiana, here in the floods of 2016, but it can also be prayed for places and people who are victims of natural disasters elsewhere, such as the wildfires in southern France, and recent mudslides in Mexico.)

God, we lift to our brothers and sisters whose lives have been disrupted and devastated by natural disaster.
You are an ever-present help in times of trouble.

We mourn with them for what has been lost:
Homes
Businesses
Possessions
Lives
Hope

For those whose homes have been destroyed
Shelter them.
For those whose possessions have been lost
Provide for them.
For those whose means of making a living has been disrupted
Sustain them.
For those who have lost loved ones in the chaos
Comfort them.

We pray for the people who are at hand, working to help:
Give them strength
That they may have the fortitude to do hard things
In the ministry of compassion.
We pray for state and government officials:
Give them wisdom
That they may see problems and envision solutions
To care for the people.
We pray for the people as they work to rebuild their lives:
Give them hope and perseverance.

May the rain stop
And the waters recede quickly.*
And may the heart of the Church, the body of Christ on earth
Be aroused to compassion and care;
And remember that we are all connected near and far,
Beloved by you.

Amen

*These two lines are optional, depending on the situation