A Prayer for the Children

We've unfortunately seen many senseless acts of violence in our lifetime; however this most recent one is tearing at the souls of everyone even more because of so many innocent children involved.  I can't imagine losing a child... and as I see the pictures of both the children and their grieving families I can't stop the tears or the longing to ease their pain.  All I can do from here ho is Pray for the children, their families and the entire community.  I can't fathom such heartache...

A Prayer for the Children

On Friday, December 14, 2012, 20 children were killed in a shooting rampage at an elementary
school in Newtown, Connecticut. Seven adults, including the gunman, also died at the scene. As
the families and friends of the deceased mourn the loss of their loved ones, we pray for the
children, and for all those whose lives have been affected by this tragedy.
Our hearts are broken.
Today, in the midst of holiday cheer,
we are painfully reminded of the cruelty and fragility of our lives together.
How do we live with such unimaginable grief?
How do we comfort such intolerable pain?
How do we care for each other in a world where violence seems so readily accessible?
Great comforter and protector,
We have no answers.
No words that can heal the broken heartedness we feel.
Yet you have promised to heal the broken hearted and to bind up their wounds.
We cling ardently to this assurance.
This is the world that Christ is born into;
A world bursting with broken-hearted people.
This is the world that you call us to sing, ‘Rejoice’ in.
The pain is too fresh, the wounds are too raw,
Yet still, we light the pink candle in anticipation of your fulfilled promises.
Until then,
we will continue to pray
For the parents,
For the families,
For the victims,
For the teachers,
For the first responders,
For the survivors, and
For all who have been crushed by this shooting.
We will hold them in our hearts.
We will strive to compassionately care for each other.
And, we will honor and lift-up our children,
For in them the light of Christ beams.
Amen.

Alydia Smith
The United Church of Canada

A Prayer for the People of Norway and for all victims of violence and terror | The Peace Pastor | a Chron.com blog

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A Prayer for the People of Norway and for all victims of violence and terror | The Peace Pastor | a Chron.com blog  From the World Council of Churches:

God of life, God of love:

In the face of unbearable tragedy we turn to you;

hear our cry, listen to our prayers, to our words, to our silence …

God of healing, God of mercy:

Hear our prayers for the people of Norway;

for all in deep distress, for all who grieve, for the injured and the shocked, for those in despair.

May they be cared for and comforted.

For all in the emergency services working long hours to search, to listen, to care, to protect, to heal.

May they be given strength and also find support.

God of mercy, God of peace:

Hear our prayers for all around the world facing terror and unspeakable violence;

May violence be overcome and the path to peace be found.

All human life is fragile, each of us is precious in your eyes,

Teach us to value one another as you value us.

God of justice, God of courage:

We pray for all leaders in times of crisis,

That they may act for the common good, offering hope and not fear.

God of courage, God of transformation:

We pray for our churches,

That they may be places of openness and forgiveness, planting the values of peace and justice in society.

Transform all fundamentalism and vengeance into attitudes that make for reconciliation.

May we learn to be children of your kingdom of love.

God of all grace and all thankfulness:

In gratitude we pray, giving thanks for the prayers and encouragement which come from so many people and places at this time of suffering, pain and mourning. We learn global solidarity in a time of crisis; may we not forget one another in less stressful times ahead.

These prayers and the heavy silence of our hearts we offer in the name of your son Jesus Christ who trod the path of peace in the face of violence.

Amen

Thanks to Reverend Chuck Currie who passed this on via twitter.

Marty Troyer prayers for all kinds of people as pastor of Houston Mennonite Church. Join us Sunday to pray, grieve, and process a faithful Christian response to the prevalence of violence in our world, 10:45AM in Spring Branch or visit us online at houstonmennonite.org. Follow Marty by subscribing below or @thepeacepastor on Twitter.

Finding Happiness in the midst of Tragedy.....

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"Sometimes in tragedy we find our life's purpose - the eye sheds a tear to find its focus." ~Robert Brault, http://www.robertbrault.com/

Of course we all know about the catastrophic events in Japan this past week.  The images on the news are horrific and heartbreaking to watch.  In the midst of so much sadness and tragedy, I wondered if I should do my usual weekly 'Happy' post.   Then because I personally had trouble getting those images out of my head and not able to think about much else, I decided I should.  So here goes... I sincerely hope I'm able to uplift or cheer a friend or two. 

"If you're going through hell, keep going." ~Winston Churchill

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eye Girl originally started in June 2009.  Now the it is hosted by Sprinkles at Wyldechylde.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us. So by participating, we are deciding to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We are choosing to concentrate on the positives, instead of dwelling on the negatives. Our Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that. They are a list of the things in our life that have brought us happiness over the past week. We are determined to find the something good in every day. Are you?

"The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder." ~Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own, 1929

For the next week, we challenge you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day.

I'm Happy and Thankful for many things; including some special kindness this week:

• For feeling much better after being sick this week and for wonderful bosses who cared! :-)

• For the nice auto instructors and students who repaired my car this week!  They did a Great job!!  The auto center I went to first... not so much, but we live and learn!! :-)

• For my youngest son's birthday and the special treat from his dad Friday! :-)   My son is very happy!  I can't believe how fast the years fly by though!!!

"When we ask, "Why did this happen to me?"... let us also ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way." ~Author Unknown

It's also "ALOHA FRIDAY" Everyone!!  If you want to join in the fun? Post your own question on your blog and leave your link at the Aloha Friday post at An Island Life. Then you can visit the other participants if you wish...It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends or see what people are thinking about this week and join in a conversation or two if you like.

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My question:  I know it may be hard, but what 'inspirational' and/or 'happy' image or story can you remember from the tragedy this week?

My answer: First, I am so impressed with the 'calm' and kindness to one another in Japan's shelters and devastated areas.  Someone giving another person their only food for the day, because the other person needed it more.  Or the firefighter who kept trying to save others, after learning their own family was gone.  Incredible human kindness; the way we should all be to each other, in my opinion.  Then there was the image of the baby girl found alive... 3 days after the tsunami.  A miracle, no other explanation!!!

"Turn your wounds into wisdom and appreciation." ~Oprah Winfrey

Please note: I'll be participating in the Bloggers Day of Silence to honor the victims of the recent earthquake tomorrow and to help raise awareness for the need for donations.  I apologize for not being able to visit anyone this week, due to being sick.  I promise to get back into my routine soon, just not Friday in honor of Japan.

Charlotte (Life's a Charm!) has left this link for more inspiring stories: Tweets from Japan in the midst of catastrophic quake.   So insightful and inspiring...
Love & Many Hugs Always!!
~ Coreen xoxoxo

Special Prayers in light of the Japan tragedy

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Wondrous God,

You created our beautiful earth, and called that creation good. You created our seas and rivers, our mountains and beaches. You tilted the earth to give us seasons of winter and spring, summer and autumn. You gave us the moon and created tides. You created this great planet that lives and breathes, and at times shudders and cracks.

Loving God, we mourn with all those who are grieving after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and across the great Pacific. We pray for those families who are still searching for loved ones. We lift up those who have been injured, those who are still lost, awaiting to be found and given aid. Help us to bring comfort and aide where we can, to extend not only our finances but our hearts. Guide us in Your wisdom in how we might best care for others, for we are Your hands and feet on this earth. We are the body of Christ. Help us to be moved with the whole body of Christ in solidarity with those who are hurting.

Gracious God, we pray for the repercussions in the aftermath of this natural tragedy; we are especially praying for all those that live near the nuclear facilities, that they might be kept out of harm’s way and that the safety measures in place will be enough to keep the people safe. We pray for those near factories and other potential sources of danger in the aftermath that they would be kept safe. We pray for all those workers and volunteers coming to aide the sick and the hurt and the bereaved that You would keep them safe, dear God.

Great Creator, You formed this beautiful earth. You blessed Your creation. We do not know why these things happen, but we do know that You are at work in the restoring of the coastline; You are at work in the softening of he waves; You are at work in the hearts of those who are giving of themselves to save others. You continue to be at work in the hearts of those who are sharing what they have and doing what they can to be Your arms in this world. May we do our part to be a blessing to others in need when disaster comes. May we always be reminded that we are Your body here on earth. May we reach out and continue to be Your hands and feet in this world. In the name of Christ, the Great Comforter, the Great Healer, the Great Restorer, we pray all things. Amen.  Special prayer by Rev. Mindi from Rev-o-lution.org

dailywordofgodgroup.com

O loving Creator,

bring healing and hope to those who, at this time, grieve, suffer pain, or who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

We remember those who have died and we pray for those who mourn for them.

We pray for those who may be affected as the tsunami spreads across the Pacific.

May we all be aware of Your compassion, O God, which calms our troubled hearts and shelters our anxious souls.

May we pray with humility with our troubled and struggling brothers and sisters on earth.

May we dare to hope that through the generosity of the privileged, the destitute might glimpse hope, warmth and life again.

Through our Saviour Christ who lives with us, comforts us and soothes us.   Amen.
From the website www.churchofengland.org/prayer

For more prayers for Natural Disasters and Japan:
Japan Prayer Link
Natural Disaster/prayer
Prayers, Hymns, Sermons and Resources for Times of Natural Disaster
In Times of Catastrophe
Japan & Hawaii Prayer by Rev. Dr. John Tamilio III, Ph.D.