Resources for Sunday of Easter 4 in Light of the Boston Marathon Bombing
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Collect:
O Savior, our Good Shepherd, You taught us that the thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy, but that You have come to bring life in abundance. Remember in Your divine pity those who have endured the terror attack in Boston, and comfort them with Your presence and promises. Receive our thanks for the care provided by the first responders and all who have ministered to those suffering. Continue to grant to the afflicted Your healing and to those who mourn, grant the peace that can come only from Your victory over death. Thwart the desires of those who would sow fear and discord among us and lead them to repentance. We make these prayers to You in confidence, for You have known in Your own flesh the irrational hatred and violence and overcome them with divine compassion and love, You who live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Petition to add to the Prayer of the Church (Series C):
For all injured in the attacks in Boston; for those who mourn their dead; and for all who have been traumatized, that they may each experience the comfort of Your unfailing love and the strength of Your divine life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Petition to add to the Prayer of the Church (One-Year Series):
Lord of life, to Your merciful hand we commend all who have been injured in the attacks in Boston; all who mourn their dead; all traumatized by what they saw and experienced there. May Your merciful love sustain, comfort, and uphold them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
A Litany:
O Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, have mercy.
O Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, hear us.
God the Father in heaven, have mercy.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy.
God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, have mercy.
Be gracious to us, spare us, good Lord.
Be gracious to us, help us, good Lord.
From all crafts and assaults of the devil;
From sudden and evil death;
From the seductions of fear and terror: good Lord, deliver us.
By Your holy wounds, suffered freely for us, help us, good Lord.
By Your love’s victory over every hatred and violence, help us, good Lord.
By Your triumph over death and the grave, help us, good Lord.
For all who have been wounded in body or spirit, heal them, O Lord.
For all who have lost those they love, comfort them, O Lord.
For all who labor to bring relief, order, and justice, strengthen them, O Lord.
For all who are perplexed and struggling with fear and doubt, grant Your peace, O Lord.
For those who have died, that we be given grace to commend them to Your merciful hands, grant it, O Lord.
Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy!
Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy!
Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us Your peace!
O Christ, hear us.
O Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, have mercy.
O Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Taught by our Lord and trusting His promises we are bold to pray: Our Father . . .
