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Eye on the World: communities uniting against violence
The 118th Boston Marathon will take place on April 21, as 36,000 official runners — the second-largest field in the event’s history — will run from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, across the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. More than a million spectators are expected to line the course in a show of solidarity after last year’s Marathon was rocked by two bombs placed near the finish line.
Meanwhile, teachers are returning to Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, which was closed after a student harmed 22 people in a knife attack last week. Before the school reopens, students will be allowed to walk the school halls with their families, and a prayer service will be held outside. And in Kansas City, Kansas, interfaith prayer services are being held to help the community heal after three people were killed in attacks that police say were motivated by anti-Semitism.
“The light that paralyzes evil” explains how our prayers can shine the light of God on the darkness that is evil, paralyzing it and giving activity to good. As we pray for Boston and Murrysville, we can recognize that God does not permit evil thoughts or intentions to lurk in the corners of thinking. The Christ disarms any such motives and reveals God’s care for His creation.
“A strong defense at the Boston Marathon,” written by someone who loves to run on the streets of Boston, dives deeper into how we can support the Marathon as a productive, peaceful celebration of brother- and sisterhood and good sportsmanship. We can support the event by praying to perceive God’s presence and activity, and by understanding that the Marathon is an expression of spiritual progress, guided by divine Principle.
In “My school was in lockdown — how I prayed,” a high school student shares how she responded when a shooting took place at her school. She discusses how holding to the spiritual fact of God’s care eliminated her fear during the event and helped bring healing and growth to the community afterward. She writes, “I have learned that God does protect His children from any form of error, and that no one can ever be truly separated from Him… prayer has led us all to demonstrate greater love and care for one another.” As we pray to support those communities that have suffered violence, it’s helpful to remember that God’s care does indeed extend to every individual.