Bishop Geoff is providing this prayer for use in public worship and personal daily devotions.
A Prayer for Victims of Sexual Abuse – in response to sexual misconduct in the Church.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, hear the prayer of the Church, and pour your merciful blessing upon all victims of sexual, physical, psychological and emotional abuse, especially they for whom the Church failed to protect.
Hear the cries of silent shame, shouted rage and of deep lament, of those whose safety, dignity and confidence has been violated and stolen, join them to your compassionate suffering upon the cross and beyond.
The earth groans in travail as the cries of those gravely harmed are joined in you, O God; may we empty ourselves to accept upon ourselves the restlessness, the shaken spirit and the utter hopelessness to ease victims of their pain and hurt, to make space for their wounds to be healed.
In humility bring us to share the justice and healing that is Yours for Your children who suffer the hideous and brutal acts sexual violence. May your Church live to responsibly provide the environment to for the broken to begin to heal.
We ask this in him who innocently hung upon a cross so all may be free.
Amen.
