A call to prayer and repentance:

After a tragic day in the history of our nation, we bow before God as a people of faith, asking for forgiveness for our silent complicity with sin in our broken world. We have too often pursued our own narrow interests, brushing aside the needs and anguish of many others throughout the earth.

We refrain from passing judgment upon anyone for the deeds leading to this tragic loss of life and destruction, even as we grieve with its victims and their families, and with our nation. We seek a deeper, spiritual message in these events – to find new commitment to our mission as Christians in our world – seeking the peace and salvation of all peoples.

We pray for our nation’s leaders. May they find grace, wisdom and restraint.

May the abiding peace that passes all understanding, which we know only in Jesus Christ, calm our fears and guide our actions.

In the love and peace of Christ,

Jim Schrag, Executive Director
Mennonite Church USA