The London District of the Methodist Church is saddened by the church and hotel bombings that took place today, Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. To have had over 300 people needlessly killed and over 500 people injured in such a life-changing way is a tragedy we cannot afford to keep silent about.  We hold in prayer those within the life of the District who have families and friends in Sri Lanka

 

To the parishioners and congregations of St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade, St. Sebastien’s Church, Negombo and Zion Church, Batticaloa; we offer a Christian message of hope through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. To the patrons and workers in the several hotels in Colombo that were targeted and the inhabitants of the surrounding areas and all who were visitors to Sri Lanka at this time, we offer our support and prayers.

 

We pray together with you;

O God of the persecuted and the bereaved,

Pour Your love upon Your sorrowing servants.

In the sickening and devastating acts of human intent,

Pour out your power we pray,

that we may be given hope

and an assurance of Your presence

through this tribulation.

Grant dear God that all the people of Sri Lanka

may be enabled to heal by Your gracious presence,

in the Christ resurrected to bring hope and renewal for all.

Forgive our failing hearts as we let this tragedy overwhelm us,

Forgive our anger as we allow this devastation to control us

And forgive our fearfulness as we wonder what tomorrow will bring.

 

In Your loving kindness Lord,

touch the sorrowful and restore their strength,

touch the injured again and again to make them stronger,

touch the Sri Lankan community abroad and in the British Isles

to affirm them as Your own;

for You, our God, will give them a glimpse of a future;

where Your love reigns,

where your healing prevails

and, where Your peace will transform our lands by the resurrection

wrought through the presence and life affirming power of Jesus Christ our Lord; O healer God and our helper, hear our prayer, amen.

 

With love and peace and an unstinting solidarity;

The London  District Chairs,

Jongi & Nigel.