Please respond: “Make us instruments of your peace.”

Giver of Life and Love, you created all people as one family and called us to live together in peace. Surround us with your love as we face again the tragedy of gun violence. Bind up the wounds of all those who suffer and grieve, we pray:

Make us instruments of your peace.

God of Compassion, we give thanks for first responders: police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and all those who risk their lives and serenity to come to our aid. Give them courage, compassion and sound judgment in the heat of the moment.

Make us instruments of your peace.

God of Righteousness and Justice, we pray for all who struggle to discern what is right in the face of powerful political forces. Give us the courage to use our voice, to confront our false gods, and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. May we rise above our dread that nothing can be done and grant us the conviction to advocate for change.

Make us instruments of your peace.

God of Tender Mercy, be with those who are overwhelmed, enraged, frustrated and demoralized by the plague of gun violence. Give them a sense of your presence, plant in them the seed of hope that all may share your dream of a world where children are safe, and all live together without fear.

Make us instruments of your peace.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the One who offered his life so that we might live, Amen.