So here we are America, the day after another widely assumed political assassination and another school shooting. And it was not just yesterday, of course. In recent weeks, we have seen the results of our complicity manifested in violence in Israel, military actions against supposed Venezuelan drug cartels, an ongoing genocide in Palestine, and countless other places where our American values only seem to be able to answer difference and dissent with brutality and bullets.
Honestly, I have been struggling to figure out what, if anything, I should add to the noise of punditry and well-intentional thought pieces that are flooding our feeds. At the end of the day, I am really not sure what to add, but I do know that with the rash of evil manifested as political assassinations, gun violence, mass shootings, and war, our answer should not be to repay evil acts with evil acts.
In light of this particular day and because most of the folks reading this post are probably not fans of Charlie Kirk and what he stood for, what he said, and what he, has caused, it is crucial for me to say this — I will never rejoice in the death of anyone, even my greatest enemy, nor will I sanitize their lives. More importantly, I refuse to dismiss the grief of their loved ones.
With the shooting death of my brother-in-law, I know all too well the grief of losing a loved one to gun violence. As soon as we stop having empathy for those left behind: a child who has lost a parent, a spouse who has lost a partner, a parent who has lost a child, or a friend who has lost a colleague, we stop seeing humanity in the others, and we have given in to evil. I refuse to do this.
So what I offer to folks today is another sample from the still-unedited Gun Violence Prayers resource. Please feel free to use this or any of the other prayers with attribution. This one is intended for individual prayer, but can be easily adapted for a communal prayer.
12) For Those Grieving the Loss of Victims of Gun Violence
One of the aspects of gun violence that is often not talked about is the long-term impact these events have on individuals, families, and communities. In a culture where prolonged grief is discouraged and “moving on” to make others feel comfortable, whether one is ready to or not, is expected, naming the realities for those left behind is essential. The impact of gun violence, whether someone’s life is taken or injuries sustained, is generational and never really goes away.
Let us pray —
For those whose lives have forever been changed by gun violence and the death of a loved one, I pray.
As we confront more death, I pray for this world
That has normalized gun violence and its aftermath
That is ill at ease, even annoyed with expressions of grief
That wants others to appease the discomfort of others
That quickly forgets what is not right in front of its eyes
That has become numb to the regularity of gun violence
That too often dishonors the lives lost for the sake of “moving on.”
For the loss known by so many is and will be ever present
The tendrils of grief take hold when least expected
Through insignificant acts that now feel immense
Through images, locations, and experiences
Through traditions that are forever changed
Through an empty chair, a jacket in a closet, a scent in the air
Through relearning how to live life without
a partner, parent, child, colleague, or friend
In the silence, when voices and memories are the loudest
And especially when gunshots ring out again
and another community is ravaged, and more lives are lost.
God, I also hope for the healing of the soul
However that may come
may paths of healing be revealed.
Whenever it may come
may time be held tenderly.
From wherever it may come
may belonging be deeply known
And may this healing be embodied to the depth
that glimpses of a newly formed future come into view.
In your holy and healing name I pray.
— Amen.
I know it feels a bit trite to say, "hold your loved one a little tighter today," but with the weight of the world feeling a little weightier each day, if we are going to become the beloved community, we will need every ounce of our spiritual, emotional, and physical energy to get there. Do what you need to do.
Peace,
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