The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8)

“I urge you to continue to pray for the victims and perpetrators of the Boston Marathon tragedy.  Keep the thousands of law enforcement, medical personnel and ordinary citizens who continue to respond to the aftermath of this horrific event in your prayers, as well.  Lift into God’s healing arms the family members who are left to grieve and wonder why.  In the midst of the shock, horror and sense of insecurity we feel, I rejoice that God’s loving, redemptive presence and truth prevails.  The prophet Isaiah’s strong voice is a source of comfort:  ‘ The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of God will stand forever ’ (Isaiah 40:8).  I encourage all of us to hold fast to this eternal absolute.  Resolve, once again, to practice the ways of peace, justice and love.”  Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area of the United Methodist Church

President Obama brought words of comfort to the families that lost loved ones, personally memorializing each one by name and with a brief remembrance. He offered prayers for those injured in the blasts, and it became clear as he spoke that his message to them was also meant for the whole city. “As you begin this long journey of recovery, your city is with you. Your commonwealth is with you. Your country is with you. We will all be with you as you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of that I have no doubt. You will run again. You will run again!”