Prayer after the shooting in Vestavia Hills, Alabama

God, who sits down with us at every table,
who opens churches to be places
of prayer and community,
we pray for those all who mourn
those who died at a potluck supper
at St. Stephen’s Church in Vestavia.

Hold gently family and friends
who grieve them particularly,
and comfort the people of St. Stephen’s,
broken apart by violence.

Feed peace to every greeter, usher, pastor,
church schoolteacher, sexton,
administrator often sitting alone
behind a computer, every parishioner,
every board, shaken with fear once again –
in churches, synagogues, mosques,
places of worship with so many names.

Be bread of healing, cup of hope. amen