Christian leaders in the U.S. responded quickly to the bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon on Monday that left at least 3 dead and more than 130 injured, by sharing their own grief over what is being called a terrorist attack, and calling for prayer.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4),” wrote Pastor David Fairchild, who leads Mars Hill West Seattle Church, in a blog post on the church’s website shortly after the bombings.
“I am deeply grieved by the early reports of two blasts occurring at the finish line of the Boston Marathon,” Fairchild stated. “Sadly, in a split second, people and families have been shattered and forever changed by this terrible tragedy.
“The most powerful weapon at our disposal against evil is the hope-filled prayer of God’s people. Join me in praying for those in attendance as well as the families of those affected by this heinous act. Also, please pray for the policemen, firemen, and medical personnel treating and protecting the victims of this evil act – may God give these men and women helpful words for hurting people,” he wrote.
As the first reports from the scene were relatively vague, Pastor Rick Warren, who has been publicly journaling his grief over the recent suicide death of his son through the use of social media, tweeted simply, “Pray for Boston. Now.”