Relief after Boston bombing suspect captured

There were scenes of celebration after the capture of 19-year-old student and suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev AP

Christians are continuing to pray after the capture of 19-year-old Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Three people were killed and over 170 injured in two bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Tsarnaev's older brother and fellow suspect, 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed yesterday as he attempted to flee.

The city was shut down and residents were warned not to leave their home as Swat team officers searched for the suspects.

President Barack Obama said in a statement that Tsarnaev's capture had "closed an important chapter in this tragedy".

Amid the relief and celebrations, there were tweets of prayer and compassion.

During the manhunt, theologian John Piper ‏(@JohnPiper) tweeted he was praying for the suspect to be caught but also to be saved.

"My prayer for the running Boston bomber: Make his foot slip. Spare more victims. Save his soul."

Missiologist Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) urged Christians to respond with love.

"Saddened by anti-Muslim hate spewed by some self-identified Xians online. Jesus told us NOT to respond like the world," he tweeted.

He later tweeted: "'But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' -Jesus"

Blogging and tweeting nun Sister Catherine Wybourne (@Digitalnun) said: "Not sure we should be calling the Boston bombers 'evil'. What they did was very bad, but we don't know enough yet."

The US Center for World Mission (@USCWM) tweeted this prayer: "Father, May the people of Chechnya be open to hearing the Savior, Jesus, as never before. Cause this to be turned from tragedy to grace."

The Episcopal News Service reports that Boston area churches have been praying since the tragedy on Monday.

The Reverend Samuel T Lloyd III, priest-in-charge of Trinity Church Copley Square, told his parish that "in moments like this it's crucial for us to remember who we are and whose we are".

"Amid the tension and anxiety of the moment, we remain a people held in God's love, certain of our ultimate safety in God's providential care, and called to be Christ to each other and our city in even the hardest of times," he said.

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.