We Pray for the Participants of the Boston Marathon and Their Families

Patriots' Day is a Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolution, which took place at Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775. The holiday takes place on the Monday closest to the 19th. The Boston Marathon is run on Patriots' Day every year.

Many schools and businesses close for all or part of the day. Other people take the day off to watch the Boston marathon or join other celebrations. The 26.2-mile marathon route snakes through quiet suburbs around Boston.  Yesterday this wonderful event was scarred by a horrific art of violence. I first learned about it when my guy called me while I was at work and explained what was going on.

There’s something particularly devastating about an attack on a marathon. It’s an impressive event in which people appear almost herculean. The winning runners run for hours at a pace even normal fit people can only hold in a sprint. But it’s not held in a stadium or on a track. It’s held in the same streets everyone drives on and walks down as they live their normal lives.

One of my colleagues, Erica ran in the New York Marathon and inspired me to run a few 5Ks a few years ago to raise money for Breast Cancer so I know the sense of community at running events.  My heart aches for the participants of yesterday's race.  They will be in my prayers for a long time. 

Once again our country is on alert.  We'll reached out to connect to our loved ones because this event caused us to be confronted with our mortality. We'll grieve, pray, and hope that the culprits will feel the full weight of justice.

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