Prayer for the NIU Tragedy

Heavenly Father,

We come before you in remembrance of those who lost their lives at Northern Illinois University last week. We pray that You might bring comfort to all those who have been affected, including the students of the University, the friends and families of those who were killed, and the family of the shooter. Allow them to find peace and hope in Your arms as they seek answers to unanswerable questions, and please heal the pain they feel deep within. Give us the strength to forgive.

Be with all students who live in fear, and with all those who feel isolated from their communities and do not know where to turn. Be with all who suffer from depression and mental illness, and work through us so that we can give light to those living in darkness. Give us all open hearts, that we might see Your face in all people and embrace all those living in our own communities, especially those who feel cast aside.

Lord, protect our campuses and schools, and grant us the wisdom to learn how best to prevent such tragedies in the future. Be with each of us through these last weeks of winter, and help us to move forward with confidence and vision through Your grace.

All this we pray through Christ, our Redeemer.

Amen.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.