Sunday, April 19, 2015

A Prayer For the Twentieth Anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing



Today we gather to remember and reflect on an event that changed the way we see the skyline of downtown Oklahoma City; that changed for many a sense of security that since that day we can no longer have; that changed our understanding of the face of terrorism, and brought us horror when we realized the face looked like us.

Lord in your mercy…

We remember and pray for the people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Those who wandered into the building to visit friends, change their name on their social security card, and other innocuous reasons to go to a building targeted by those who would seek to do evil.  There was nothing to tell them to stay away or indicate that the day would be any different. 

Lord in your mercy…

We pray for those who died, and those changed forever.  We remember the fragility of human life and give thanks for the breaths we take.

Lord in your mercy…

We remember and pray for those who had offices in the building, who were holding meetings, talking on the phone, typing, having inane conversation around the coffee pot in the break room.  Unsuspecting that that cup, that conversation, that thought would be their last.

Lord in your mercy…

We remember and pray for the people who were near the building on the street or across the street who, although not in the building targeted for destruction, lost their lives in the devastation anyway.

Lord in your mercy…

We remember those who responded, the one who died, and all who suffered great trauma at the sight of wreckage and desolation.  Those who still see visions in their dreams that they wish they could erase.  Those who medicated and self-medicated the pain away.  Those who took their lives because they could never find peace.  And those who love them.

Lord in your mercy…

We remember and pray for the children who died that day.  Children in the day care center where parents dropped off their children with a sense of security believing they would be picking them up that evening safe.  We remember the children who died while with parents or grandparents at the social security office.  We remember our children everywhere who have been victims of violence whether by a truck bomb or a school shooting or a political regime that cares little for human life. 

Lord in your mercy…

We remember grieving parents, grandparents, siblings.  We remember the children who, although they lived, their lives were never the same again.  We remember our duty and obligation to all our children to protect them from violence and the fear violence brings.

Lord in your mercy…

We remember the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, children, beloved friends and even close acquaintances of those who were killed.  Whose grief was tangible, and even the sky cried that day.  

Lord in your mercy…

We remember and pray for those who lost their lives, and those who survived although forever changed.

Lord in your mercy…

As Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us, we pray and remember those who planned, plotted, schemed, and carried out this heinous act.  We pray that we may learn to trust again, in spite of our fear, because all of humanity is not responsible for the deeds of a few.  We pray for their families who were thrust into the spotlight, and were grieving as well.  We pray for them as best we can, Lord help us when we do not know how we should pray.

Lord in your mercy…

We pray for ourselves, that we might never forget to stand again injustice, oppression, violence and evil however it presents itself.  Lord give us strength and wisdom.  Lord grant us peace in the midst of a chaotic world.

Lord in your mercy…


Hear our prayers today and everyday, O God.  Amen.