Holy God, we bear a heavy grief and cry out against another life lost.
We remember Alex Pretti — a nurse and healer, a man who cared for veterans and embodied compassion and service. We grieve this beautiful life cut short while trying to do what love so often asks of us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We also hold before you those whom Alex sought to help —
neighbors targeted, chased, and harassed, families separated, children used as bait.
We pray for neighbors detained and disappeared: Brendy. José. Ramesh. Nathalie. Johnny. Julson. Berting. We pray for those who keep vigil.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray, God of truth and tenderness, for those behind masks, recruited by narratives of duty and service, or by a signing bonus that restocks the family’s pantry, or by the promise of relief from crushing debt.
Where conscience is restless, give courage. Where pepper spray and tear gas have contorted, where fear has narrowed vision, restore the capacity to see the dignity of each human face.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hold us now, O God, in this broken moment. Teach us how to grieve honestly, how to protect one another fiercely, and how to choose life in a world resounding with death.
Amen.
