[SEE PRAYERS & RESOURCES BELOW]
STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTINGS AT THE ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE OF QUEBEC - MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017
As a Regional Synod of the Reformed Church in America, we join with Christians across Canada and the world, who lament and oppose yesterday’s attack on le Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. Recent reports tell us 6 people were killed and 19 injured in a shooting that occurred during prayer time.
With the RCA, the Canadian Council of Churches, and partner denominations we make the following statement:
While the details of the attack and the motivations of the attacker has yet to fully emerge, we recognize that the Muslim community within Québec City has been the target of hateful, Islamophobic acts within the recent past.
To our Muslim sisters and brothers in Québec City, in the province of Québec, and across Canada, our prayers are with you. We grieve with you. We stand with you during this time.
We recommit ourselves to opposing the hate and prejudice that disfigures our communities and leads to violence both at home and abroad.
Please join with us in prayer for the victims and their families, the perpetrator, the city of Québec, the church, our nation and the world. Also look for additional prayer and worship resources to be posted soon on our website: www. synodcanada.com.
May our God of Peace comfort those who mourn, and lead us into the work of reconciliation.
STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTINGS AT THE ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE OF QUEBEC - MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017
As a Regional Synod of the Reformed Church in America, we join with Christians across Canada and the world, who lament and oppose yesterday’s attack on le Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. Recent reports tell us 6 people were killed and 19 injured in a shooting that occurred during prayer time.
With the RCA, the Canadian Council of Churches, and partner denominations we make the following statement:
While the details of the attack and the motivations of the attacker has yet to fully emerge, we recognize that the Muslim community within Québec City has been the target of hateful, Islamophobic acts within the recent past.
To our Muslim sisters and brothers in Québec City, in the province of Québec, and across Canada, our prayers are with you. We grieve with you. We stand with you during this time.
We recommit ourselves to opposing the hate and prejudice that disfigures our communities and leads to violence both at home and abroad.
Please join with us in prayer for the victims and their families, the perpetrator, the city of Québec, the church, our nation and the world. Also look for additional prayer and worship resources to be posted soon on our website: www. synodcanada.com.
May our God of Peace comfort those who mourn, and lead us into the work of reconciliation.
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PRAYER FOR HEALING
IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE AND FEAR Almighty, all-merciful God, through Christ Jesus you have taught us to love one another, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. In times of violence and fear, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, so that we may not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good. We pray now for victims and families of victims of the shootings at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Québec. Lord, in your mercy bring healing to grieving hearts and fearful minds. Show us how to join with you in that work by reaching out with compassion. We pray for the shooter and his ideological community. Lord, in your mercy transform hateful, prejudiced hearts with your love. And if that means you need to transform our own hearts, so be it. Change us, even as we seek to participate with you in the change you are making in our neighbourhoods through your gospel of justice and peace. We pray for the nation of Canada, the United States, North America, and the world. Where human beings are fractured and divided from one another, Lord, in your mercy bring reconciliation and the restoration of shalom. Even so, make us ministers of reconciliation, and peace-makers in this world. Help us to see each person in light of the love and grace you have shown us in Christ. Put away the nightmares of terror and awaken us to the dawning of your new creation. Establish among us a future where peace reigns, justice is done with mercy, and all are reconciled. We ask these things in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Adapted from Prayers for Times of National and International Crisis and Tragedy |
A PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION
Across the barriers that divide race from race: Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross. Across the barriers that divide rich from poor: Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross. Across the barriers that divide people of different cultures: Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross. Across the barriers that divide Christians: Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross. Across the barriers that divide men and women, young and old: Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross. Confront us, O Christ, with the hidden prejudices and fears that deny and betray our prayers. Enable us to see the causes of strife, remove from us all senses of superiority. Teach us to grow in unity with all God's children. Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross. -- Nolan Palsma, Pitcher Hill Community RCA Church, N Syracuse, NY PRAYER FOR PEACE Almighty God, all thoughts of truth and peace proceed from you. Kindle in the hearts of all people the true love of peace. Guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, St. Andrew Press. |