Liturgical Resources and Prayers to End Gun Violence | Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

LEARN MORE ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Liturgical resources from Bishops United Against Gun Violence

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A LITURGY OF LAMENT

The diocesan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force offered a Liturgy of Lament for gun violence victims on Dec. 6, 2023. The hope was that the liturgy would strengthen and comfort as we strive to shine a light on the devastating epidemic of gun violence in our nation. The liturgy was also offered for use in other communities as they engage in efforts to end gun violence. Please feel free to use the bulletin as offered on Dec. 6, 2023, or adapt the fuller version with additional resources to suit your service.

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ADDITIONAL PRAYERS

Merciful God, we cry out to you, heal our souls from this scourge of violence. Endow us with the courage to step down from the pulpits and out from behind our desks to seek the peace of the city. In the coming days and weeks as our leaders debate solutions, Lord we ask that you grant us the voice to speak truth power and demonstrate sacrificial compassion to the hurting. Amen.

- Excerpted from "A Prayer to End Gun Violence," by People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO); find the prayer on the Social Justice Resource Center

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God of the slain,
God of the murdered and the victim,
The voice of lamentation echoes across the land.
Wailing beside graves opened too soon,
Weeping beside stains of blood
From the dead and the injured
Pouring forth from bullet wounds:
The child shot,
The suicide,
The domestic assault,
The gang violence,
The mass murder,
The long night of death made easy by guns
And automatic weapons.
The long night of sorrow made easy
By reckless access to machines of slaughter.

Amen.

LENTEN RESOURCES

A Guide to Writing Lenten Devotions: An Anti-Gun Violence Perspective

This guide is based on three principles:

Use of the Revised Common Lectionary (RSV) for seasonal Scripture reference.
Use of a three-part format to accommodate a shared liturgical structure
- A personal reflection to introduce the weekly prayer;
- A specific reference to the week’s Advent Scripture; and
- A brief concluding prayer, poem, or artwork to finish the general prayer.
Personalization of the Prayer

The assumptions made in this guide include the need to invite as many of the laity as possible to integrate an anti-gun violence sensibility within our liturgical practice. (For example, prayer groups may form around this prayer ministry as a spiritual discipline that acknowledges the Lenten theme of hopeful reflection.)

Insofar as Episcopalians treasure our liturgical practice (Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, “As I pray, I believe.) that is both Scripture based and actively prayerful, our unique approach to enacting a ministry such as anti-gun violence continues a rich legacy of ecclesiastical engagement. Our invitation to this Lenten season is also an invitation to pray together as we act to overcome the scourge of violence in our larger community.

The tools provided for this ministry are here appended. They include The RSV Sunday lections of the Gospel and a Collect for the season of Lent. Secondly, included is a template and example of how an individual or group may use the lections.

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The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman

XII Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina

Task Force Members

2022-2023

The Rev. Sonny Browne, co-chair
Sara Smith, co-chair
Cassandra Deck-Brown
David Jacobs
The Rev. Sandy Key
The Rev. Elaine McCoy
The Rev. Justice Schunior
The Rev. Sallie Simpson
Berkeley Sumner