July 6, 2021
Last month we remembered: LaJuan Black, 31, shot to death on Wentworth Avenue. The obituary did not contain any family information; funeral was held June 25th. Mizette Printup, 24, died several days after having been shot on Notre Dame Avenue. Daniel Burch, 31, shot to death on Lexington Avenue. The perpetrators in all of these have been found. While we remember the loss of each life and the grieving family members, let us also pray for the men and women investigators who work the cases and who inform/console the family members. PRAYER: Compassionate God, you are the author and sustainer of our lives. You know the anguish of the sorrowful, you are attentive to the prayers of the brokenhearted. Hear your people who cry out to you in their need; strengthen their hope in your lasting goodness. May hate be replaced with love, violence with peace and darkness with your light. Amen. SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:6-9; 10-11 A voice says, “Cry out!” I answer, “What shall I cry out?” All humankind is grass and all their glory like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it. [So then, the people is the grass.] Though the grass withers and flor wilts, the word of our God stands forever.” ... Here comes with power the Lord God ... Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom and leading the ewes with care. PETITIONS: For LaJuan, Mizette, and Daniel who met death so suddenly and violently, may they be at peace. For each of their families and all who grieve their loss, may they find comfort. For the perpetrators, may their hearts be changed and may they know both justice and mercy. For police officers and all who seek to bring safety to our communities, may they be persons of integrity and may they be protected in their service. For an end to violence in our community, our country, our world, may all people come to know one another as brothers and sisters in our common home. We make these prayers trusting in the power and love of God to hear our cries. Amen.