Almighty Father,
As we gather tonight shocked, saddened and angered by the reprehensible and senseless killings in Orlando, we turn to you for strength, wisdom and courage. In the face of the hatred and violence that has caused such tragedy and generated such grief, may we remember who we are, what we stand for and upon whom we rely.
To those whose lives on this earth have been so unjustly cut short, grant eternal life in your Kingdom. To those who have been wounded, grant healing and health. To those whose lives have been shattered by the loss of loved ones, grant hope and trust in your love and mercy. And to those here and everywhere where hatred darkens minds and hardens hearts, may your light, love and grace pierce those hearts, enlighten those minds and change those lives with the truth that every man, woman and child is created in your image and likeness, is beloved by you and endowed with an inalienable dignity that makes us all brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters who are called to love both friend and foe, to live in peace, to resolve disputes with reason, to respect one another in differences and to shun hatred and unjust violence.
As we commend the souls of the slain to your loving care, may we commend ourselves anew to the mutual respect, love and care that Christ showed us with His life and to which the Holy Spirit empowers us with His grace.
In your name we pray, Amen.