A prayer for Karen Buckley

Glasgow student Karen Buckley, 24, died after a night out. A man has been arrested in connection with her death, her family is being comforted and prayers have been held in her local church. We add our prayers to those who were near to her.

God of the bereaved and sorrowing,

God of the lost and broken-hearted,

God of the angry and bewildered:

We grieve for a death too soon,

for potential unfulfilled, a rich life unlived,

and for all the human wickedness that mars the world you made.

We pray for those who mourn Karen's death, because this is personal.

We pray for those who are sad because this is the way of the world.

We pray for those who are cynical, and don't care.

We ask that you will enfold them in your love and mercy,

because the eternal God is our refuge,

and underneath are the everlasting arms.

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