Prayer resources

God of infinite mercy, we pray for the victims of the Christchurch attacks.
Remember them according to the favour you bear for your people.
Comfort those who mourn and give strength to the injured. 
Deliver those whose hearts are hardened by hatred. 
Grant to us all your understanding, and your persevering love, for your mercy’s sake.  Amen

The Lord is my light and my salvation 
– whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life 
– of whom shall I be afraid?

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:1, 13-14)

A Collect for Peace

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, 
to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: 
Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; 
that we, surely trusting in your defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; 
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

By your Cross, Lord Jesus, you became true and lasting hope. 
We ask that you give rest to those who died in Christchurch, and that you heal the wounded and bless those who care for them. 
You comforted Martha and Mary; comfort all who mourn. 
Give us who remain stout hearts to face the days ahead. 
And roll down your justice upon us all, that we might have peace. 
We ask this because in your love you died for us, and rose again, that we might have life with you forever.
Amen.

It can be very difficult to know what or how to pray in the wake of a terrorist attack. Feel free to use this prayer as a guide.

Loving God and Father, we cry to you for our broken world, and for those who seek their own way through violence and threat.

We pray to you for the ones who have been wounded by these wicked acts of violence: young and old, at home or on holiday. Heal their bodies and hearts; console them with your presence and, at the same time, take away any hatred and a desire for revenge.

We pray that you would draw near and comfort the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. Enable them, in your mercy, to seek refuge in you as they grieve.  

We pray for the police and intelligence services—that you would enable them to find and prosecute those responsible, and work to prevent future attacks.

We pray for the government—that you would inspire them to govern with wisdom and determination.

We pray for our Muslim community in Aotearoa-New Zealand—that you would protect them from unjust aggression and discrimination.

And we pray that you would touch the hearts of those who commit acts of terror that they may recognise the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness, of respect for the life and dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, origin, wealth or poverty.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

O God, who would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace:
let the design of your great love
lighten upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows:
and give peace to your Church,
peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings,
and peace in our hearts:
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

God of love,
turn our hearts to your ways;
and give us peace.
Amen.

O God of many names,

lover of all peoples; 

we pray for peace in our hearts and homes, 

in our nations and our world;

the peace of your will, the peace of our need.

Dear Christ, our friend and our guide, pioneer through the shadow of death, passing through darkness to make it light, be our companion that we may fear no evil, and bring us to life and to glory.

O God of peace and justice, of holiness and love; knit us together in mind and flesh, in feeling and in spirit, and make us one, ready for that great day; the fulfillment of all our hopes, and the glory of Jesus Christ.

Keep us in the spirit of joy and simplicity and mercy. Bless us and those you have entrusted to us, in and through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn – for they will be comforted.”   (Matthew 5:4)

Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God, trust also in me;

in my Father’s house are many resting places.”  (John 14: 1-2)

We shall rest and we shall see,

we shall see and we shall love,

we shall love and we shall praise,

in the end which is no end  

(St Augustine)

Psalm 23: 1-4

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.

He lets me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

O merciful God, creator, redeemer, and giver of life.

We remember those whose lives have been taken in the Christchurch attacks. 

Surround those who mourn with your love and healing;

and grant grace to all peoples that we may live in peace in Aotearoa New Zealand. Amen

O God, who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die:
in our grief and shock
contain and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give is hope in our confusion,
and grace to let go into new life,
through Jesus Christ. Amen.