Reflection & Prayer in the face of Nova Scotia Murders
“How long. . .how long. . .how long O Lord?! How long must we suffer anguish in our souls, in our communities, and be grieved in our hearts day and night? How long shall evil triumph over us?”
Psalm 13 (Paraphrase)
We are shocked and horrified by the news reports from Nova Scotia this day. Tiny villages on and near the shores of the Bay of Fundy have been devastated by a murderous rampage that has claimed the lives, among others, of an RCMP Officer, a teacher, two health care workers, two Corrections Workers, and at least one volunteer fire fighter – a total of 18 deaths as of this writing.
Words fail us as we are confronted by such evil actions. Our hearts go out to the families and communities where there is a depth of grief that is unimaginable. We can pray for these hurting, suffering, neighbours. We pray too for our United Church of Canada Ministers and congregations in Nova Scotia who will be seeking to convey the love of God to those most impacted. I want to say, emphatically, that our God shares the heartbreak of all of us and especially of hurting victims and families. As St. Paul proclaimed in his Letter to the Romans:
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.”
Romans 8.26 (RSV)
Prayer
God, known to us as Kind Creator, Compassionate Friend, Ever-Present Spirit, our hearts are broken today as we hear the reports of the deaths of so many innocent people in the little communities in Nova Scotia. We pray today for your Presence with these individuals, families and communities who have been victimized by evil actions. Our hearts are pained as we consider the suffering of our fellow Canadians. We ask for a special measure of your grace, strength and wisdom for our fellow United Church of Canada Ministers and Members and for all those who are seeking to embody your Love in these terrible days of grief. Help us, as we are faced with such devastation to hold firmly to the assurance that you are with us and with all who suffer anywhere. In Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen.
“In Suffering Love” (Voices United #613)
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In suffering love the thread of life is woven through our care, for God is with us, not alone our pain and toil we bear.
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There is a rock, a place secure within the storm’s cold blast; concealed within the suffering night, God’s covenant stands fast.
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In love’s deep womb our fears are held; there God’s rich tears are sown and bring to birth, in hope new-born, the strength to journey on.
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Now to our hearts your joy commit, into our hands your pain; so send us out to touch the world with blessings in your name.
In suffering love our God comes now, hope’s vision born in gloom; with tears and laughter shared and blessed the desert yet will bloom.
I invite you to listen to Holly Cole’s song “Cry if you want to!” on this most difficult day in these most trying experiences – knowing that God weeps with you.
Grace and peace with pastoral love and care,
Rev. Phil
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