Here - Dominican Sisters of Peace

PRAYER AT THE SCENE OF A CRIME
Prayed at the site where violence has taken place or in the place in our experience/memory of such a scene
Call to Prayer: As we stand in solidarity with victims of violence we call upon the God of all Grace and Mercy.
AMEN
Opening Song: (optional) “Not too Far from Here” by Michael Crawford CD On Eagles Wings
(or other song of your choice such as “We Shall Overcome” etc.)
Opening Prayer:
Loving God, as we remember victims of violence we know the sadness of loss. May that sadness be
transformed into compassion for both victim and perpetrator. May the fear struck in us by the power of this
tragedy give way to awe at the unending power of your unconditional love for each person. May we
uncover the energy of our anger and use it to right what is wrong in our own behavior toward one another
and to challenge the mindsets and systems that enable and promote violence. This we ask in Jesus’
name. AMEN
Reading: John 20:19-23
Shared Reflection
Response and Intercessions:
1. Jesus came, stood in our midst and prayed over us “Peace be with you”.
2. As heirs of the Peace of Christ may we learn to speak peace so that every person may
hear in their own language Christ’s message of love, forgiveness and compassion.
1. Jesus showed them his hands and his side. As we stand in this place gazing upon the hands
and sides of those who have been targeted by violence, we remember all victims of crime.
2. May they know the restorative grace of God who holds them in their pain and may
they know healing presence in our care and prayer for them.
1. Jesus invites … “Receive the Holy Spirit”. We call to mind all perpetrators of violent crimes.
2. May the Spirit’s flame bestow upon them understanding and true compunction. And
may they be graced with knowledge of God’s good and loving purpose and intent for
their lives.
1. The Risen Christ cautions us “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you
retain are retained” may we be mindful of our own woundedness.
2. May we be freed from all thoughts of resentment, retaliation and vengeance so that
we might follow the Peace of Christ into a place of gentleness and compassion.
Closing Prayer:
Wash us clean once again. As we stand in the aftermath of what human choice has wrought, teach us to gather up
the shattered fragments of your grace and forgiveness laying at our feet and to “Peace” together once again the
wondrous dignity you placed in humanity from the very beginning. We ask all in the One God who is Peace. Amen.
Sign of Peace/Blessing (have available a basin of water, may play soft instrumental music or a song)
Participants bless one another with the water saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit …” or “May you be washed clean..”
or other suitable words. If appropriate the water might also be used to bless the site calling upon Spirit’s
gifts to re-enter this space.
The Peace and Nonviolence Committee of the Dominican Sisters of Peace wishes to thank Sr. Maxine Shonk, OP who prepared this prayer for
individuals or groups to use at a site where violence has taken place or personally in that place in one’s experience or memory of such a scene.

Song: Not too far from here
Somebody's down to their last dime
Somebody's running out of time
Not too far from here
Somebody's got nowhere else to go
Somebody needs a little hope
Not too far from here
And I may not know their name
But I'm praying just the same
That You'll use me, Lord
To wipe away the tears
'Cause somebody's crying
Not too far from here
Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here
And take away the fear
'Cause somebody's hurting
Not too far from here
Help me, Lord
Not to turn away from pain
Help me not to rest
While those around me weep
Give me Your strength and compassion
When somebody finds
The road of life too steep
It may be a stranger's face
But I'm praying for Your grace
To move in me
Not too far from here
Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here
Now I'm letting down my guard
And I'm opening my heart
Help me speak Your love
To ev'ry needful ear
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here
Written by Ty Lacy and Steve Siler “Not too Far from Here”
was originally a #1 single for Kim Boyce and later recorded
by Michael Crawford on the CD “On Eagles Wings.”
The Peace and Nonviolence Committee of the Dominican Sisters of Peace wishes to thank Sr. Maxine Shonk, OP who prepared this prayer for
individuals or groups to use at a site where violence has taken place or personally in that place in one’s experience or memory of such a scene.