God of Creation, there is so much beauty in your world for which we can never be thankful enough. We take its abundance for granted and spend precious little time in wonder at its diversity. Then suddenly and sometimes unpredictably its awesome power is unleashed, leaving destruction and death in its wake. We watch in horror as the news uncovers the extent of the damage in Oklahoma City and groan in mourning for the loss of lives there. It is beyond our ability to explain or even to be able to console one another in our limited understanding and language. Hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken, arising in the depths of our hearts and deliver us from our distress. Help us realize that the gift of life is precious and that even more so is the Giver. In your son’s love and ultimate goodness, we pray. Amen.