14 April 2024
Christians in Sydney have grieved the deaths of six people in a stabbing attack at Bondi Junction.
Sydney faith leaders have published prayers asking for God’s comfort as the city mourns the attack.
Six people were fatally stabbed at a Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday, while at least 12 others were injured. A man armed with a knife was shot dead at the scene.
Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral will conduct a service of prayer and mourning on Tuesday, while St Mary’s church in Bondi is open for prayer and reflection.
Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel published a prayer asking God to comfort those who grieved the events, or had been affected by them.
“Father we are confused and distressed by violent and senseless acts in our city. We cast our anxieties on you, knowing that you care for us,” Bishop Raffel said.
“Please turn our hearts to your Son that we may find our rest in him and hasten the day when peace and justice reign.”
Sydney Baptist minister the Reverend Dr Megan Powell du Toit shared a prayer of grief, asking for comfort for the families and friends of the victims, and for those injured by the attack.
“We pray for the people of that community, who have had their safety invaded, as they go about life in the aftermath,” Dr Powell du Toit said.
“We pray also for the attacker who caused such pain and then lost his own life … We give him God to your mercy, trusting in your greater wisdom and love. And we pray for those who knew him, and that they will find you in the complexity of their emotions.
“We pray God as your people you will help us to work against violence and to instead bring gentleness, kindness and most of all the hope of Jesus Christ.
“We give to you all our own feelings at such an event within our own city and pray you both comfort us and help us to be agents of comfort to those around us at this time.”
The Diocese of Sydney will run a service of solemn prayer for those affected by the tragedy, at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Tuesday 16 April, 6pm.
For more faith news, follow The Melbourne Anglican on Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to our weekly emails.
