Living and loving God,

As we turn to you now, following the verdict in the Hillsborough inquest,
we acknowledge that you are a God both of justice and of mercy;
a God of truth and of love;
a God who has walked this earth before us and knows each of us better than we know ourselves.

We hold up to you once again the 96
and all those who have suffered and are suffering as a result of the disaster at Hillsborough.
May they know your love and strength surrounding and upholding them.

We thank you for all those who have been and are a part of the seeking after truth and justice
and for what has so far been accomplished;
and we pray for what has yet to come.

We hold up to you, too, all who find echoes of their own story in this story.
And we pray that they may also find that you are part of the story.
And we ask for more;
for healing,
for hope,
for the grace to forgive,
and for your peace;
peace which acknowledges the truth – all truth – and yet forgives and loves –
peace which passes all understanding.

We ask all this in the name of the risen Christ, our Saviour and the Saviour of all the world,

Amen.

Jacky Embrey, Moderator of the United Reformed Church Mersey Synod.