National Gun Violence Awareness Day

The Sisters in the Motherhouse took the occasion of National Gun Violence Awareness Day to engage in learning and advocacy, then witnessed on the front steps to all passing by. Let us all pray and do what we can to bring an end to mass shootings, and an increase in peace.

Prayer on National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Loving God, You created for us a world of beauty, order, and endless possibilities. But today ours is a world often in chaos: war, famine, drought, so many "isms," lack of respect for life and for one another.

In this, our very own beloved country, we face these issues day after day. One of these is uppermost in our mind these days - the horror of gun violence which continues to ravage our nation, our society, our people, even the youngest of our children.

Spirit God, we give you all names: Holy, Sanctifier, Paraclete, Advocate. Yet you are so much more: Challenger, Nudger, whirling Wind and engulfing Fire, Mover, Enabler, Lover, Breath of Life.

Be that for us, we pray. Instill in us your gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, reverence, and awe. Pentecost us. Enable us to be as daring as the newly inspired Apostles - to be bold in our defense of the right of all persons to feel safe wherever we are, unafraid of being forever silenced by those who are armed with weapons and anger and sometimes even hatred.

Give us the courage to speak the Word. Give us the audacity to take the actions needed to end this needless violence against innocent victims. In the name of our Creator God, in the name of the Word of Life, and in the name of the Fire of Love. Amen.

Prayer from Nuns Against Gun Violence, https://springfieldop.org/nuns-against-gun-violence/

Motherhouse photo June 2, 2023 by Michelle Taylor Lagunas.