July 13, 2024
Dear Friends,
I am aghast that someone has fired shots at former President Donald Trump. I am deeply grateful that he is in good condition with what appear to be only minor wounds. I am and I ask all of us to pray for his well-being, for healing of the trauma this has inflicted upon him, the people close to him and upon the people who were attending a political rally and then suddenly found themselves in the presence of an active shooter. Police reports confirm that two people have died, one who appears to have fired the shots and another individual. Please pray for their families and their souls.
Our country is in peril. We cannot settle our differences with violence. Gun violence is wreaking havoc on all of our communities, whether you are attending a block party in Detroit or speaking at a presidential rally in Western Pennsylvania. This is a sin. A grievous sin that we, as people of faith, must address.
We are more. We as a people are more and better than this.
I offer my hope for our country in a portion of a prayer from The Book of Common Prayer,
“Save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride, arrogance and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues, endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home and that through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.” (P 820)
All this we pray in in the name of the one holy and undivided Trinity. Amen.
May we pray. May we take action to heal the wounds of this country and end the scourge of gun violence.
In Christ,
 |
| The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry |
