A Prayer on the First Anniversary of the Tragedy at James Smith Cree Nation

God of mercy, it has been one year since the horror and the tragedy that occurred at James Smith Cree Nation and the surrounding communities.

We cry out again for the people of these communities. Bring healing to the deep wounds that still exist, bring solace to hearts that grieve, bring hope when it seems that little has changed, bring courage to leaders who you have called to speak and to act.

We pray for those families who lost loved ones in the violence, assure them of your comfort.

We pray for those people who live with fear and anxiety, give them your peace.

We pray for First Responders who witnessed the impact of the violence, give them resilience.

We pray for ourselves that we would re-commit ourselves to living as people who speak and act for reconciliation and transformation in the relationship between Indigenous people and settlers in this land.

In the name of Jesus, the healer of hearts and minds, we pray. Amen.