Restorative Justice Month: Week 1: Pray for crime survivors and for those killed violently
Week 1 - Sunday, November 3, 2024
We pray for crime survivors and for those killed violently.
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Gospel Mk 12:28b-34
"You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Reflection on Restorative Justice: This passage from the Gospel of Mark emphasizes the greatest commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments can provide profound guidance for addressing the needs of crime survivors and honoring those who have been killed violently. For crime survivors, loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength can be a source of immense comfort and resilience. This deep connection with God can provide the strength needed to navigate the aftermath of violence, offering hope and healing. It encourages survivors to seek spiritual support and find solace in their faith.
Suggestions for Prayers of the Faithful
We pray:
1. That Jesus, the Master of Peace, join all the suffering experienced by crime, and all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit, to His own sorrowful passion.
2. For the victims of violence all over the world, especially our friends and loved ones who may have been hurt recently or in the past and still need healing. May God touch their wounded hearts and souls with His healing hands and infuse hope for a brighter future in their lives.
3. For all victims of violence who struggle with taking revenge into their own hands, may God turn their despair into hope, their hate into love, and their anger into joy. Help them seek reconciliation with those who have caused them harm and find the strength to forgive those who have trespassed against them.
4. That God empower all doctors, nurses, therapists, and counselors who come in contact with people victimized by all kinds of abuse and harm. We pray that those affected by violence overcome all trauma and mental damage caused by violence.
See all Restorative Justice Month prayer petitions at https://sfarch.org/2024-restorativejusticemonth/