New Resource: A Prayer Poem upon the Death of Osama bin Laden

Relief, release,

for ten years awaited

by all whose lives ceased

     in planes and towers,

     or battlefields, caves or roadways far from home

         in these succeeding years:

The dead must have their voice.

So, too, the living,

those whose mourning could not reach full closure

       until this news:

Osama, too, is dead.

In these United States some celebrate

  a victory long sought,

  an objective long elusive:

To find and bring this man to trial,

  or to visit on him

     what he had visited on far too many

         in far too many places

           for far too long.

Some also sigh, or sob,

  or cry with groans that beg,

         "Can this one death atone for all our loss?"

And others start to ask,

          "May this one death unleash a thousand more?"

Relief and fear,

wonder and sorrows relived, renewed:

This is where we are.

This news of death as justice

cuts all ways,

leaving us with wounds that heal

and fester,

all at once.

And so we pray:

Jesus, risen,

Conqueror of Death,

heal us.

Jesus, risen,

Great High Priest,

hear our cries as prayer.

Jesus, risen,

Redeemer of the World,

deliver us from temptation.

Jesus, risen,

Judge of living and dead,

have mercy upon us and all whom you have made.

Jesus, risen,

Prince of Peace,

show us the paths of Life.

Amen.

Taylor Burton-Edwards

May 2, 2011

Copyright 2011, The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. This may be reproduced by any means, anywhere, but not sold, provided the copyright citation is noted: "Used by permission. Copyright (c) 2011, The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church." For any other uses, contact worship@gbod.org.