A prayer from a nightmare

                                                      O God

who  stands in the midst when brutality covers the world with  unspeakable grief.

One lone tall blonde gunman fires methodically and confidently at young summertime souls in Norway.

Death bullets bring fresh blood to the swimming waters of fun off Utoya Island.

A mass murderer claiming to live out his religion smiles with success.

Forgive us for distortions of life when murder is confused with being faithful. Forgive all of us when we hurt others and claim we are doing justice.

Forgive us for all the confusions and killings and crazy righteousness lived out in the name of God in Norway and throughout the years.

                                                   O God

of  the world within and the world of the countries and the vastness and peoples of all lands

Receive our tears. Receive our broken hearts. Receive all prayers stretched from the raw sensitivities of our souls.

Evil visits our world and we do not ever understand.

O God whose tears reach deep as we sadly grieve and regret the Norway massacre.

                                                   The Scandinavian Killings  July 22, 2011