The second killing in Minnesota of a U.S. citizen at the hands of federal agents in less than three weeks has shaken our country’s trust not only in our institutions but in the fundamental health of our democracy. These tragic events coming so closely to our country’s celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King only add salt to our wounds. It is during times like these that we need to come together in prayer and action to build community, to support one another, and to stand with those who have the least and need us the most.

Specifically, we pray for Renee Good and Alex Pretti that they may find peace and rest in the ever-loving arms of our God. We pray for their families that God may grant them strength and comfort in the midst of unimaginable grief. We pray for the healing of our polarized country – we have much more in common than what divides us.  We pray that God will grant us courage to work and stand for justice and the resolve to see the God’s image in every human face.

At such a time as this, we as people of faith are called to act. That action can be large or small, but in all that we do we must strive to counter this deliberate culture of fear and violence with acts of neighborly love. Our actions can be local or national, but they must be rooted in Christ’s command to love one another as he loves us.

Our faith tells us that love is the most powerful force in the universe. Let us extend that love to one another through actions that push beyond divisions of political party, geography, identity, nationality, and income. Now is the time to pray not only with our lips but with our lives, bearing faithful witness to a justice-seeking love that will not surrender the future to brutality, hatred and fear.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington  

The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith
Dean, Washington National Cathedral