From the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, please include the following prayers in your daily devotions.
...the Tumbler Ridge community
Friends:
As we awake today with the tragic news from Tumbler Ridge British Columbia we acknowledge that there is so much we do not know and cannot explain. We struggle to understand how violence takes root, how ordinary days can be shattered in a moment, how lives can be taken or forever changed. Although we find ourselves in a broken world—a world in which hurting people often hurt others—we believe that healing is still possible.
Our faith teaches us that God can restore what is wounded, mending what is torn, and guiding us toward justice, fairness, and peace. With heavy hearts we lament the violence, the death, and the injuries that have struck the community of Tumbler Ridge, and we turn to God for mercy, comfort, and strength.
...for Those Who Have Died and Those Who Grieve
God of all compassion, Receive into your eternal care the souls of those whose lives were taken in Tumbler Ridge. Surround their families, friends, and all who mourn with the shelter of your comfort. When words fail, let your presence speak. When sorrow overwhelms, let your peace steady trembling hearts. May those who grieve know that you weep with them and that your love holds every story, even those cut short by violence. Amen.
...for the Injured, First Responders, and Survivors
Merciful Healer,
We lift before you those who have been injured—body, mind, or spirit. Grant them steady recovery, patient endurance, skilled caregivers, and the hope that pain will not have the final word. We give thanks for first responders, for their courage in chaos and their willingness to step into danger for the sake of others. Strengthen them in body and spirit and surround them with support as they carry the weight of what they have seen.
For survivors, witnesses, and all who now carry invisible wounds, we pray for resilience, for gentleness toward themselves, and for companions who will walk with them through the long journey of healing. Amen.
A Litany for Tumbler Ridge
Leader: Holy God, we come before you with hearts heavy and unsettled, recognizing that there is much we do not understand. The violence in Tumbler Ridge has shaken us, and we mourn what has been lost.
People: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Leader: We confess that we live in a broken world— a world where hurting people sometimes hurt others, and where fear, anger, and despair take devastating forms. Yet we trust that you are a God who heals, a God who restores, a God whose justice and fairness do not fail.
People: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Leader: For those whose lives were taken, for their families, friends, and all who grieve, gather them into the shelter of your compassion.
People: Hold them, O God, in your everlasting arms.
Leader: For those who were injured— in body, mind, or spirit— grant steady healing, courage, and the care they need.
People: Restore them, O God, with your healing grace.
Leader: For first responders who rushed toward danger, for their bravery, endurance, and service, we give you thanks. Strengthen them in the days ahead.
People: Uphold them, O God, with your steadfast love.
Leader: For survivors and witnesses carrying the weight of trauma, for those whose nights are restless and whose days are overshadowed by fear, bring comfort, resilience, and companions for the long road of recovery.
People: Surround them, O God, with your peace that passes understanding.
Leader: For the community of Tumbler Ridge— now grieving, searching, and trying to make sense of what cannot be easily explained— bind them together in compassion and mutual care.
People: Strengthen them, O God, with your enduring hope.
Leader: For leaders, caregivers, and all who must navigate what comes next, grant wisdom, patience, and clarity. Let fairness and justice guide every decision.
People: Lead them, O God, in paths of righteousness.
Leader: And for us, O Lord— when we are tempted toward despair, remind us that your light still shines; when we are overwhelmed by sorrow, remind us that you are near; when we feel powerless, remind us that your healing is at work even now.
People: Make us instruments of your peace, O God.
Leader: Holy One, you are close to the broken-hearted and you save the crushed in spirit. Hold Tumbler Ridge—its people, its pain, its fragile hopes— in your gentle and steadfast care.
People: For you alone are our refuge and strength. Amen.
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... for Shrove Tuesday
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for it is from your goodness that we have this day
to celebrate on the threshold of the Season of Lent.
Tomorrow, we will fast and abstain from meat.
Today, we feast.
We thank you for the abundance of gifts you shower upon us.
We thank you especially for one another.
As we give you thanks,
we are mindful of those who have so much less than we do.
As we share these wonderful gifts together,
we commit ourselves to greater generosity toward those who need our support.
As our feasting fills us with gratitude,
so may our fasting and abstinence hollow out in us
a place for deeper desires and an attentiveness to hear the cry of the poor.
May our self-denial turn our hearts to you
and give us a new freedom for
generous service to others.
We ask you these graces with our hearts full of delight
and stirring with readiness for the journey ahead.
We ask them with confidence in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Source: Online Ministry of Creighton University
... for Ash Wednesday
God of goodness and mercy,
Hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to make myself 100% available to you every day as I prepare for Easter.
Amen
...Planning for vestry
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel (in the weeks leading to the Diocese of Huron’s church annual Vestry meetings) for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honour and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN (page 676 BAS).