Here we have compiled the prayers, statements and reflections from our Churches and Church Leaders for those affected by the horrific bombing at the Manchester Arena on the evening of May 22nd.
From the Revd Phil Jump, Regional Minister for North Western Baptist Association
North West Baptists will be among the many ordinary citizens across our region who are stunned and shocked by the terror attack in Manchester Arena on Monday evening. At this stage, we do not know whether any of our churches and families will have been affected, but our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been harmed by this act of mindless evil.
We know already that young people from across the North West and beyond, attended Monday’s concert, and while Manchester has borne the brunt, this is an attack on all of us. As Regional Minister, it is truly heart-breaking to hear the names of familiar communities identified as the places from which many of the victims have come. I am sure, in the days ahead, that many local congregations will be reaching out to provide care and support in the neighbourhoods that they serve.
This is also a moment to affirm faith as that which heightens our awareness of divine love and human goodness, and to renounce any attempt to use it to justify wickedness and harm. Such actions have no place in any civilised society or faith community.
Our emotions at this time will be raw and varied. A mixture of dismay, horror, fear, anger and defiance will no doubt emerge as we struggle to comprehend what has happened. These reactions are inevitable, but it is vital that we do not give in to those who perpetrate such evil and allow these natural human emotions to cultivate the division and distrust that they seek to sow.
As churches and individual citizens, let us commit ourselves afresh to building communities of hope, goodness and compassion – reflecting the values of God’s Kingdom and the principles of love, kindness and self-giving on which our faith is founded.
God of endless love and unchanging truth,
Our hearts despair at the extent of human wickedness,
And break for those who have been so tragically and unjustly hurt and harmed by this attack.
Yet we give you thanks that even in its midst,
We have caught so many glimpses of hope In the human kindness and generosity that has prevailed.
Today and in these days that follow,
We pray for every life that has been damaged or lost;
For those whose mourning and despair we will struggle to measure;
For those who have selflessly responded,
And will continue to provide care, support and healing.
We pray for our leaders
And all who face the difficult task of protecting our communities,
And nurturing those values on which our well-being depends.
Help us to build a better world;
A world where difference is seen as an opportunity to broaden our understanding;
Disagreement as the chance to learn and grow,
Where faith is reclaimed
As that which brings out the best in us,
And turns our hearts to all that is good and true.
AMEN
From Revd Andrew Mills, Moderator of North Western Synod – United Reformed Church
We woke this morning to the tragic news of the bomb blast at Manchester’s Arena venue last night at the end of the concert by Ariana Grande. With 22 dead and over 50 being treated in hospital the police are treating this as a terrorist incident. The pain felt for all caught up in this terrible ending to an evening filled with music goes beyond those of us who live in the North Western Synod, affecting our nation as it is likely that an act of evil has once again destroyed lives and broken the peace of a city community.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart,
i am so so sorry.
i don’t have words. (a Tweet sent by Ariana on hearing the news)
Gracious God,
Hear the cries of all people
in the brokenness of a new day,
where music is silenced in grief
for the loss of loved ones.
Jesus, suffering Lord,
hold in your loving arms
those caught in the distress of this tragedy
and sustain all who are working
to aid those affected.
Spirit of life,
when words fail us
speak through us
your word of Peace
into broken lives.
Amen.
From the Revd Dr Roger Walton, President of the Methodist Conference, and Rachel Lampard, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
We are appalled by the horrific bombing at the Manchester Arena. We pray for the families of those who have been killed or who are injured, and for those, many of whom will be young, who have been scarred and scared by what they have witnessed.
We give thanks for the emergency services and for the many ordinary people who demonstrated compassion in responding to those caught up in the tragedy. We ask the Methodist people to hold the people of Manchester and beyond in their prayers as we remember the words of Psalm 34, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
From Andrew Lunn, Chair of Manchester and Stockport District, and Paul Martin, Chiar Bolton and Rochdale District
In the face of the violent and deadly attack at the Manchester Arena last night, the Methodist people in Manchester are united with many others in their sense of shock, and in their prayers for all those who have been bereaved, wounded, or traumatised.
As we seek to respond to this terrible event we are grateful for those who have affirmed that, so far as it is possible, we will not let this attack change our daily lives. Some people have been tweeting using the hashtag #WeAreNotAfraid – in this way those who are stronger support those who feel the weight of anxiety, pain and fear.
Among the stories beginning to emerge there are many about the ways people have sought to help others: providing safe places, or lifts home, or passing on messages to help those who were separated find each other. It is through such small acts that we reaffirm our commitment to one another. Every such act makes a stand against violence and fear.
In a diverse city one thing we can be sure of is that people in Manchester will not let this event divide us.
Manchester is the home of a movement called We Stand Together(#WeStandTogether), in which people of many different faiths and backgrounds recognise that we find strength in our common humanity.
We are deeply grateful for the many assurances of prayer which we have received from around the country.
God of compassion and mercy,
amidst the pain and trauma of this day we turn to you,
for through Christ crucified we know that you have taken to heart the suffering of our people.
In fear and anxiety, strengthen us.
In despair and pain, comfort us.
In incomprehension and anger, reassure us that your love and life are stronger than the hatred and violence which overshadows our city today.
Console those who carry a burden of loss, injury, or trauma and empower all who support them.
Strengthen all who seek to stand together in peace and unity.
We pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
From Tim Annan, Youth President of the Methodist Church
It’s hard to look at the images and stories coming out of Manchester today and not feel rage at this horrific act of violence against people; all of whom were just going to live life to its fullest.
Lives have been irreconcilably changed last night. An empty seat at the table. A smile and warm embrace; now missing. We stand with all those who grieve this morning, in our thoughts and prayers. Holding the pain with the anger.
Yet, in the face of the anger, confusion and grief, the response of the people of Manchester was love and compassion. From the emergency services responding quickly and effectively, to the many people who opened up their homes to those who needed a place to stay, to cab drivers transporting distraught people for free to a place to rest. Even at the darkest moment, humanity, compassion and hope shone through.
Beautiful and terrible things will happen, but don’t give in to anger or fear. Know that you are surrounded by God’s love.
From Alison Ransome, North West & Mann learning & development coordinator, on behalf of the Methodist Church Learning & Development Network
We stand with all the people of Manchester as we travel to work and school today around this region. We stand in unity and hope with all our neighbours in Manchester.
We weep with God today for the tragic loss of life and wounding of innocent young women and their families and friends.
We join with people this morning at the cordon offering all we can to help and we remember the words of scripture that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it”, and the words of a poem by Thomas Moore “Darkness shows us worlds of light we never saw by day”. We see this light shining brightly in all the people of Manchester today, who in words of a taxi driver “are like glue – we stick together” and we offer our prayers.
From Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Dr Browning led commissioners to the General Assembly in prayer and a minute’s silence for the victims of the bombing.
“When the news of this appalling and brutal act in Manchester came to us, most of us will have been stunned.
That young people and children, with others, could be the subject of what Police are now treating as a premeditated act of violence is beyond comprehension. There is no cause, political or religious, that justifies actions of senseless brutality, anywhere or at any time.
“Today the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland offers its prayer and deepest concern to all who have been caught up in this action. The young people and their families and friends, the emergency and security services, and the people of that great city of Manchester.
“We pray for them and send our sincerest wishes of peace to come in this heart-rending situation.
“In times like this we are not defeated by fear…. God remains with us and all His children.”
CTBI has compiled a list of statements from a broader range of Churches which you can find here.