10/16/2026
Loving God,
Today, our hearts are heavy. We come before you with grief, fear, anger, and questions we may never have answers to. As we hear the news of a school shooting in Bend, we are reminded once again how fragile life is and how deeply connected we are to one another.
We pray for the students, teachers, families, and school staff whose sense of safety has been shaken. Hold close those who are hurting, comfort those who are afraid, and surround those affected with a love that reaches beyond what words can offer.
We pray for parents who send their children to school trusting they will return home safely. For students who deserve to learn and grow without fear. For educators who give so much of themselves to care for the next generation. May they find strength, compassion, and support in the days ahead.
God, we also pray for our own community. Help us resist the temptation to become numb to tragedies like this. Remind us that every life is sacred, every story matters, and every person deserves to feel safe and valued.
And when our prayers feel insufficient, move us toward action. Give us the courage to have difficult conversations, the wisdom to seek meaningful change, and the compassion to care for one another even when we disagree.
May we be people who do more than offer thoughts and prayers. May we be people who show up, who listen, who protect, who love, and who work toward a world where our children no longer have to carry this kind of fear.
God of peace, be near to Bend today. Be near to every community carrying the weight of violence and loss. And help us remember that even in the darkest moments, we are called to be a light for one another.
Amen.
