Prayers . . . for the unthinkable

Prayer When Someone Accidentally Kills Another

Gracious Father, what is more painful than bearing responsibility for the death of another human being?  Murderers deserve to suffer, Lord, but we ask for relief and comfort for everyone involved in accidental killings.  Pour your love over them.

If carelessness contributed to the accident, God, let the person who was he instrument of the death ask for, and receive, forgiveness.  Help him repent of his negligence and change his ways.  If he is blameless and case goes to court, grant justice.  Prevent accusers from surrounding and pointing a him, Lord.  Let him see your truth that he need not wallow in guilt.  Draw him closer to you through this terrible thing.  Let this one life-changing event catapult him toward godliness.

Remind him to pray daily for the grieving family and, if the day comes when the family contacts him, provide the right words for him to speak, so that instead of increasing their pain, he will soothe it.

Help the family of the victim through this tragedy.  Encamp around them.  Cover them with your wings; cradle them in your nest of comfort.  Help them to forgive, so that resentfulness and anger won't destroy their spirits. We know you can heal and work good in the midst of this, Father.  Please do it.  We ask in your Son Jesus' name.

Amen

"And what I have forgiven him -- if there was anything to forgive -- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us."

2 Corinthians 2:120 -11

Date this page was last edited:  July 11, 2004