For the Victims of Hatred
Almighty God, Father of all mankind: we beseech thee to turn the hearts of those who through malice and hatred would seek to injure or oppress the stranger, the sojourner, and the Samaritan in our midst; for these are the neighbours whom thou hast commanded us to love, and it is in our demonstration of this love that we shew forth to all nations that we are, indeed, thy children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Cessation of Violence
Almighty God, Creator of all men, unto whom the blood of Abel crieth from the ground: Deliver us, we beseech thee, from the fear and anger which driveth Cain to rise up and slay his brother. Grant us the courage to forgive, and the humility to be forgiven; cast away the beams from our eyes, that we may truly see all men as our brothers in Christ; and vouchsafe us to live in peace and harmony until the coming of thy Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Twenty years ago today, Matthew Shephard died from head wounds inflicted during a beating six days earlier. His ashes will be interred in the crypt of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (the Washington National Cathedral) on October 26th, 2018.