Prayers for the People of Norway

I received the following letter from Bishop Christian Alsted of The United Methodist Church in Norway in an email today. I hope you will join me in praying for the people of Norway. Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

Letter from Bishop Alsted on the terrorist attack in Norway



Life in Norway that we usually experience safe and secure was brutally shaken by a violent bomb explosion in the government district in Oslo on Friday, 22 July, and further by an incomprehensible massacre at a national youth camp run by the Labour party on island Utoya. At this time the police have reported more than 90 victims, of which 84 are from the youth camp, and a number of people are injured. The police have arrested a 32 year old extreme right wing Norwegian who while impersonating a police officer shot and killed youth at the camp and is also charged to be behind the bombing in Oslo.
In the past 24 hours we have seen pictures and heard stories of events that we would not have thought could take place in a peaceful country like Norway. Young people on island Utoya have been exposed to experiences so horrifying, that it will impact them for life. This incident affects the whole nation of 4.5 million, and families across the country grieve their loved ones. In this national tragedy the Norwegian people needs the support, care and prayers of the churches.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has encouraged the Norwegian people to respond with openness in protection of our democratic society, and the cabinet fully supports this attitude. We know that our churches and pastors will actively participate in the care and support of affected families and friends. Many people will have a need to get together with others to share their thoughts and emotions in coming to terms with this terrible experience, therefore we encourage congregations to make our churches available for conversation, silence and prayer. We have also encouraged our churches to organize memorial services, preferably ecumenically, to give people the opportunity to express their grief and despair and to find comfort and strength in Christ.
The first memorial service will be at the Central Church UMC in Oslo on Sunday 24 July where bishop emeritus Oystein Olsen will preach. At the worship services I all Methodist Churches in the Episcopal area we encourage to prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. We also encourage to prayer for wisdom and strength for the Norwegian government, and to pray that Norway as a nation will not be ruled by fear but that we will be able to continue to live in trust and openness with each other.

Christian Alsted, Bishop of the Nordic and Baltic Area