Tell Out My Soul

This prayer is based on a prayer by Pope Francis for peace and for an end to violence and terrorism that Pope Francis delivered in the Church of St. Francis on the 31st of July, 2016. It is so needed today as the world reels from the brutal killing by two terrorist gunmen of fifteen innocents at Sydney’s Bondi Beach last Sunday. This prayer was read during a vigil held in our church for the victims and families of the shootings, and it touched many. Prayer is the most fundamental reaction to the violence that we witnessed against our Jewish brothers and sisters last week. Prayer has power to heal and to reconcile; God hears us.

O almighty and merciful God, Lord of the universe and of history. All that you have created is good and your compassion for the mistakes of mankind knows no limits.
We come to you today to ask you to keep in peace the world and its people, to keep far away from it the devastating effects of terrorism, to restore friendship and instil in the hearts of your people the gift of trust and of readiness to forgive.
O Giver of life, we pray to you for all those who have died as victims of terror. Grant them their eternal reward. May they intercede for the world that is torn apart by conflict and disagreement.

O Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray to you for the ones who have been wounded in these acts of inhuman violence: children and young people, old people and innocent people caught up in this evil. Heal their bodies and hearts; console them with your strength and, at the same time, take away any hatred and a desire for revenge.

Holy Spirit consoler, visit the families of the victims, families that suffer through no fault of their own. Wrap them in the mantle of your divine mercy. Make them find again in you and in themselves the strength and courage to continue to be brothers and sisters for others, giving witness to your love by their lives.

Touch the hearts of terrorists so that they may recognise the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness, of respect for the life and for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, race or social position.
O God, eternal Father, in your mercy hear our prayer which we raise up to you amidst the deafening noise and desperation of the world. We turn to you with great hope, full of faith in your infinite mercy. We entrust ourselves to you and we ask for the gift of peace and of the elimination of terrorism from our midst.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.