BALI BOMBINGS: OCTOBER 2002

Following the terrorism and awful carnage in neighbouring Bali, the favourite holiday destination for young Australians, ...last night I did not sleep very well. I arose early this morning to "get my head together" in prayer and meditation. My agitated personal concerns at this moment are twofold.

Pastoral: my profound sympathy for all those directly and indirectly traumatised by the bombing.

Prophetic: my sorrow that Western nations (especially super power USA, middle power the UK, and mini power Australia) seem largely determined not to face the appalling injustices which ultimately lie behind the frustration and anger that fosters much terrorism.

These concerns surface in the attached prayers and creed.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:

Most loving God, as we continue to absorb the shock of the bombings in Bali, we pray for all who have been victims of this terrorism.

Let your help be with the many who are mourning their dead, and with the families and friends of those who are as yet listed as missing or unidentified. Holy Spirit of consolation, reach down into the soul-depth of the grieving, and initiate the process of acceptance, comfort, hope and peace.

Let your help be with those who are critically ill, or suffering much pain and shock, in the hospitals of Bali and Australia. Holy Spirit of light and love, work through the hands of nurses, doctors, ambulance officers, military medical teams, and volunteer carers, that pain may be minimised and healing fostered.

Let your help be with all who have been physically marred for life. Those who have lost limbs, or have been extensively burned or disfigured by shrapnel. Holy Spirit of light and love, enable each of these to cope with the immediate pain, distress and anger, and to begin the long process of adjustment and recovery to a different way of life.

Let your help be with the many who may have physically escaped injury, yet whose minds have been damaged for ever by the horrors they have witnessed. Holy Spirit of light and love, travel with them as they return to their homes and work places. Bless the work of trauma counsellors and give sensitivity and wisdom to their friends, work mates and loved ones.

Let your help be with the gentle people of Bali as they try to cope with this outrage against their hospitality and well being. Holy Spirit of light and love, bless those grieving and injured ones, and sustain and guide the thousands of families whose very livelihood may have been permanently ruined by the bombings.

Let your help be with President Megawati Sukarnoputri, and all the leaders of Indonesia as they respond to this crisis. Holy Spirit of light and love, give them both courage and wisdom, that whatever steps they take may be for the long term benefit of the Indonesian people and the peace of the world.

Let your help be with Prime Minister Howard, his ministers and government, and with the Leader of the Opposition, Simon Crean, and his advisers. Holy Spirit of light and love, save our nation from knee-jerk reactions, and endow us with the desire and determination to not only deal with the threat of terrorism but also to recognise and mend the causes.

Loving Lord, make us instruments of your peace;

where there is hatred let me sow love,

where there is injury let me sow pardon,

where there is doubt, let me sow faith,

where there is despair let me give hope,

where there is darkness let me give light,

where there is sadness let me give joy.

(St Francis)

THIS I DARE BELIEVE

This is God's world, and it is not aimless.

Time has a purpose and God is its steward.

Loving God, I believe, scatter my unbelief.

It is not possible that greed and injustice are forever.

It is not possible that the meek will stay dispossessed.

It is not possible that peacemakers must inevitably fail.

It is not possible that nations will always make war.

It is not possible that the merciful will be always be scorned.

It is not possible that forgiveness will at last dry up.

It is not possible that the weak are doomed to be down trodden.

It is not possible that the hungry will always go unsatisfied.

It is not possible that sincere hearts will always be exploited.

It is not possible that laughter shall finally be stilled.

It is not possible that fear will always outwit love.

It is not possible that the cynics will always be right.

It is not possible that goodness will have flowered in vain.

It is not possible that death will render all things futile.

It is not possible that Jesus will ever be forgotten.

It is not possible that faith will die out on earth.

Christ holds God's secret in open, wounded hands,

Christ is our future and all will be redeemed.

Loving God I believe, scatter my unbelief.

FOR THE END OF TERRORISM

Most merciful God, Friend and Saviour,

please help this world to rid itself of the obscenity of terrorism,

and of the greed and injustice which feeds its roots.

In both affluent countries and in the impoverished ones, may your will be done.

Among those whose culture is influenced by Islam or Buddhism,

or among those who have been taught by Hindu faith or Christianity,

let the thirst for justice, compassion and peace prevail over fear and hatred and avarice.

Give us minds that are willing to be taught,

goals that can be reshaped,

desires that are purged,

and wills that are toughened to seek the good of all through loving means.

This we can only do with your help;

on you we cast our fate.

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen!

this last item is from "Australian Prayers" (revised edition) page 123

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