Dear God,

You are the giver, sustainer and terminator of life.

We confess, O God, that we have been too tolerant of violence and murders.

We have gone cold about persons being killed here and overseas. We reluctantly raise our voices and engage in meaningful action only when it is someone close to us. We have not placed a high premium on life.

We thank you for the marked reduction in the murder rate over the recent months.

Thank you for hearing our prayers and answering our cry.

We pray especially for the Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, and histeam that they will have the wisdom and courage to deal with the monster of murder in our midst.

We pray that as a people we will cooperate with all who work toward the reduction of the murder rate.

May peace be our lot.

Amen.