LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison offers words of comfort following the tragedy in Boston: “Like the death of our Lord Christ Himself, we pray that, even in this dark hour, the sacrifice and pain of those affected will not be in vain, but redound in good as yet unseen.”
You can find the full statement on the Witness, Mercy, Life Together blog.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come to Your throne of mercy bowed down and wearied by the weight of suffering and death visited upon our country by the bombings at the Boston Marathon. Bring peace amid the chaos and provide help to those in need. Be with all those who have suffered bodily injury due to the explosions in Boston. Guard and guide the emergency service workers, police, fire, medical and homeland security personnel whose vocation is to respond to events such as this. Grant to the leaders of this nation wise counsel, calm thinking and unselfish aims. Turn the hearts and minds of all to You, that they might find peace through the cleansing of Jesus’ blood. Let us not be confounded or dismayed, so that we, as Your children, may courageously speak to this needy world of the hope that is within us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.