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We say and pray her name: Sonya Massey

Sonya Massey was a 36-year-old woman from Illinois who was fatally shot by police when she called them for help. Teri McDowell Ott offers a prayer in response to this tragedy.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

Her name, God, her name. We say and pray her name: Sonya Massey.
We despair her loss. We grieve her violent death. We rage against the horror of her killing.
In your mercy, God, help us root out the source of our brokenness, heal from
compounding trauma, and find your path to peace. Help us hold a mirror to our society,
to honestly examine that which triggers violence, and dedicate ourselves to supporting, not destroying, life.
Violence is not your way, God.
Violence cannot be our way.
We lift our prayers of grief, our lament for Sonya, her family, her community. We lift our
prayers for understanding, accounting for wrong doing, and for healing.
In the wake of her death, we say and pray her name. Sonya Massey is yours, God,
called and claimed, redeemed by your grace and glory.
God, have mercy upon us.
Amen.

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