We lift up our broken hearts this morning in sure and certain hope of the resurrection, in victory over evil and darkness, and in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Let us pray to our God and Savior.

Almighty Father, on this Father’s Day, we lift up to you all fathers, especially those who are grappling with what to say to their children, how to protect their families, and how to keep themselves alive in this world at this time.

We lift up to you the leaders of our nation, especially Barack Obama, and the leaders of our state, especially Nikki Haley; cleanse our nation and state from hatred and racism, bring us into the new light of your kingdom.

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples and races of the earth,

and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near:

Take into your loving arms the bereaved of Charleston, and especially Emmanuel AME Church, granting them peace and comfort that only you can give.

Pour out your spirit upon all flesh and hasten, O Lord, the coming of your kingdom, that your church throughout the whole world may enjoy communion with you and with each other, bringing all of creation into your good purposes.

Protect and embolden those frightened to attend church or to go to work. There is a different gold star pinned to many backs today, God, and it is dark skin.

Gathering below the cross this morning/evening as your sons and daughters, we acknowledge our guilt and sin, our complicity in racism, our hardness of heart and our clinging to darkness and evil rather than your light.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons Sr., Sharonda Singleton, and Myra Thompson;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(composed for Trinity Cathedral’s Keenan Chapel service)