Photo by John Tlumacki/Globe Staff following the Boston Marathon explosions
Psalm 46:1 NRSV
God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
God our Refuge, calm our hearts when evil abounds
They run to lonesome places, screaming an alarm
Calm our hearts so we can find you above the fear
God our Strength, calm our hearts when evil abounds
They race to revenge, pounding with anger
Calm our hearts so we can hear you above the hammering
God our Help, calm our hearts when evil abounds
They rush to human strength, grasping for control
Calm our hearts so we can hold to your way, your truth, and your life
Calm our hearts, so they may beat in unison with yours
So healing may flow over bodies and spirits broken by the chaos
So hope may fill families and communities devastated by violence
So compassion and peace and unity may rise up among all people
God our Strength, our Refuge, our Help
We entrust our lives to you. Amen.
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Click here for an incredibly beautiful and powerful reflection on the Boston Marathon Bombings entitled Marathon Kindness by Steve Garnaas Holmes
Prayer for Violent Times © 2013 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.
Revlisad.com 
Lisa , I’m praying for peace in our broken world. So proud to have you as my Pastor.
Bill O’Reilly just said this is not a tragedy it is act of terror?
I believe it is both Susan. This act of terror is a tragedy. This tragedy resulted from an act of terror. It is a tragedy that some believe violence and suffering will prove their point or even bring them victory. It is a tragedy that people get caught in the backwash of other people’s foolishness, evil, and sin.