A prayer for today

When Prime Minister Harper announced that Canada would send fighter jets to the Middle East to help combat ISIS/ISIL, it meant that the injustices that have caused a rise in radicalism became the concern of Canadians once again. And this morning, at the tomb of the unknown soldier, an as-yet unknown solder lost his life to what appears to be some sort of radicalism in our national capital. Another soldier died the day before yesterday, hit by a "radicalized" man in a car.

But it's not time for panic and paranoia, or mistrust. It's time for people to come together and to work to end the injustices that cause young men and women to want to become martyrs for organizations that promote violence against their brothers and sisters. It's time to work for the health of those suffering from addictions or mental illness. Now more than ever, it's not us and them, it's WE. We all need to pray and to work so that no one feels the need to take up arms for any reason, anywhere.

Here's my prayer, in case you feel like praying with me.

God of all people,
be our light.

Bless all those affected by violence,
and its resulting fear, uncertainty and sorrow.

Show us where our lifestyles create injustice,
where we are to blame,
and help us to change.

Transform the hearts
of those who,
in anger and hopelessness,
have come to believe
that violence is the only answer.

Bless those whose mental health
or lifestyle choices endanger them
and those around them,
and bring them the help they need.

Lead us all
to walk together
on the difficult path
to dialogue
understanding,
justice, wholeness,
and peace.

+AMEN.