What a shock! What devastation! The Boston Marathon started as a celebration of life and ended as a time of mourning. We hardly find words to describe our anguish about the terror attack. United Methodists from all over the world mourn with those who are mourning.

We pray for the wounded, the afraid and those who lost loved ones. We once more have to recognize that the world is not a safe place. There are people who do harm. We cry out for justice. Peace has to be restored in the beautiful city of Boston and all over the world. I am thankful for the ministry of United Methodists in the Boston area and all over the United States, offering prayers and comfort to those who are in need.

We pray for God’s presence with the victims, their families, and those who seek to heal the wounded and bring order to chaos; and we are called to pray for the perpetrators. Even though we are aghast because of this brutal act of violence, as followers of the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, we do not satisfy our desire for revenge.

May God comfort and guide all who are troubled; and may United Methodists in Boston, in the U.S., and all over the world unite with all Christians and all people of faith to serve as peace builders. The risen Christ, in whom God reconciled the world to himself, is hope and peace for a broken world.

Bishop Rosemarie Wenner