This is a prayer of mourning and consolation in memory of the victims of the Washington Navy Shipyard shootings and supporting their families. Unfortunately, there are now so many mass attacks that a general prayer seems necessary. So I wrote a prayer called “After a Deadly Rampage” with a blank line for the location of the attack, which I have filled in for this tragedy. May the memories of the righteous be a blessing.
After a Deadly Rampage/ Washington Navy Yard
Author of life
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under Your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the massacre
At the Washington Navy Yard,
Whose lives were cut off by violence,
A rampage of witless aggression beyond understanding.
Their hopes were severed.
Their dreams were lost to brutality.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.
May they rest in peace.
G-d of justice and mercy,
Remember, too, the survivors of this attack,
Witnesses of shock, horror and dismay.
Ease their suffering and release their trauma
So that they recover lives of joy and wonder.
Grant them Your shelter and solace,
Blessing and renewal.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
And courage to heal.
Remember the families and friends
Of the dead and the wounded.
With comfort and consolation.
Grant them Your protection,
Your wholeness and healing.
May they find hope and renewal.
Heavenly Guide,
Source of love and shelter,
Put an end to anger, hatred and fear
And lead us to a time when
No one will suffer at the hand of another,
Speedily, in our day.
© 2013 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Postscript: “After a Deadly Rampage” is based on a prayer I wrote “For the People of Norway.” The focus of this prayer is on the dead, the injured and their families, making no reference to legal, political or social issues related to the Second Amendment/gun control debate in the U.S. This is a simple memorial prayer that we all can use at these times of horror. Please see “At the Hand of Violence” for prayer in memory of an individual killed by violence.
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Tags: 2012 Aurora massacre, Batman Massacre, Columbine, Fort Hood shooting, grief, healing after shooting deaths, loss, prayer after gun violence, prayer after mass violence, prayer for shooting victims, Virginia Tech massacre