Jesus weeps, and so do we. We mourn for the loss of lives in Orlando as we do whenever senseless tragedy strikes a blow. We pray for the friends and family of all the victims and all who are affected in every way. We pray for the healing and recovery of all those who are wounded. We pray for the city of Orlando, the state of Florida, for the United States, and our world asking for the Holy Spirit to “plead our case with unexpressed groans” (Romans 8:26, CEB).

As a part of the renunciation of sin in our baptismal vows, United Methodists “accept the freedom and power God gives [us] to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”

Sunday’s horrific event is being called the deadliest mass shooting in US history. Such mass shootings can only be named as evil and God calls us to resist them and the conditions, both spiritual and temporal, that make them possible.

We also pray for the eradication of hate. Hate is a product of evil. Sadly, hate is instantly available to us — all we have to do is activate the membership each of us have in the sinfulness of the human condition. Hate is an evil that must be resisted in every form it presents itself. The news reports that this shooting was well planned in its timing, target, and execution. This time the target was an LGBT nightclub. Christ, have mercy.

All Christians unite against hate and violent actions toward any group. We are unified in our witness of love, care, mercy and healing as we exercise the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil and to work to mend this broken and hurting world.

Let us pray…

Lamb of God, 
you take away the sins of the world. 
Have mercy on us. 
Grant us peace.

For the unbearable toil of our sinful world, 
we plead for remission.
For the terror of absence from our beloved, 
we plead for your comfort.
For the scandalous presence of death in your creation, 
we plead for resurrection.

Lamb of God, 
you take away the sins of the world.
Have mercy on us. 
Grant us peace.
Come, Holy Spirit, and heal all that is broken in our lives, in our streets, and in our world.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

— from Common Prayer