Tēnā koutou katoa,

In the wake of yesterday’s supermarket attack, I want to call us to prayer.

• Prayer for the victims of this attack who are now receiving medical treatment for serious injuries. We pray also for the medical staff offering care.
• Prayer for the attacker’s family who will be grieving the loss of a loved one and trying to come to terms with his actions while under media and police attention.
• Prayer for witnesses and first responders who will bear the psychological impact of such a horrific event. We pray for police officers who have had to take a life in the defence of others. We pray for those, including the government and community leaders, who will work for healing, peace and justice in the future.
• Prayer for the Muslim, and wider immigrant community, where they are experiencing a heightened vulnerability and fear. Give us boldness to speak up where we see injustice and intolerance expressed in our communities.
• Prayer for our nation as we seek to speak love and justice into these times of tragedy. We pray that we might become people who are not overcome by evil but instead who overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)

Blessings,