A Prayer for Healing and Understanding After Capitol Hill Attack

Loving Father, reach out to those who are suffering in the United States of America.

When I listened to the statements of congress members at the impeachment proceedings of former President Donald J. Trump, I heard the strain this incident has put upon them, and their relationships with their colleagues.

Please bring reconciliation to this divided House and Senate.

The safety of members of Congress and staffers has been violated. Acts so vile have been committed, we don’t want to think of or mention them.

Heal the terror in the minds of members of Congress, the Senate, and staffers in the House of Representatives.

Please heal us of what we have seen and continue to see and read about this horrifying tragedy.

Help the members who do not see this truth that there can be no healing without accountability. We cannot move on until we see there is a mutual agreement those involved must face the full consequences for their actions.

If those involved are not prosecuted a message is sent out loud and clear that it’s not that bad if you take part in an armed insurrection. It’s not that bad if there was a conspiracy to kidnap and murder Vice-President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. It’s not that bad if members of Congress and their staff’s lives were threatened. It’s not that bad five people were killed, and over 50 police officers were injured. It’s not that bad if you desecrate the People’s House, the American people’s sacred temple of democracy. It’s not that bad if you deface statues. It’s not that bad if you show disrespect for the People’s House, and those who conduct the people’s business.

It is that bad and worse. It is using terror to control others. That has nothing to do with we the people, we who believe that we can still have a voice in the way our country is run, without committing acts of intimidation to achieve our objectives.

Help us, o God, to never forget the highest sacrifice Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick gave for his country. He was murdered defending members of Congress and those who work in the People’s House. We must not let his death go without punishment.

Lord, we pray that those who think life is so easily expendable will experience Your justice, and repent of their sins. Every life has value. Every life has purpose. You were very clear when You said in Your Word that anyone who harms any of Your children, it would be better for those people to hang a mill stone around their necks, and cast themselves into the sea.

Any attack on democracy is a threat to the freedoms we are blessed to have.

Freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to incite other to violence. We must always be careful about the words we use and the way we use them.

We can have passionate debate while respecting those who disagree with us.

Give us listening hearts for those who feel their voices haven’t been heard, Rioting occurs when people feel their concerns aren’t being addressed. It happens when lies are spread to get people so full of rage, they are prepared to commit acts of violence to be heard.

The Bible says words can speak life or death. Help us to choose words that bring life, not death, hope, not hopelessness, healing, not harm and comfort, not torment.

Father, please heal conflict in the House of Representatives, Senate, and in our relationships.

Hate never wins. Violence never wins. Love wins. Give us open hearts to shine that to others.

Amen.

Dr. Kevin James Osborne M.A., M.Div., Psy.D.. D.A.B.T.E, C.M.H.C. is Dean of Psychology and President of Student Affairs at St. James the Elder University. Karen Osborne B.A., D.Sc. in Psychology (honoris causa) C.M.H.C. is the Registrar of St. James the Elder University.