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Good morning.Ìý At the beginning of this month, many of us were in shock at the news of the Tunisia attack. We felt for the families and friends of those who had lost their lives and for all those on the beach that day.

Then, stories emerged about nine people working on, or near the beach, at the time, who had formed themselves into human shields against the gunman, telling him to target them and not the tourists. Through this distraction technique, they helped to save lives, and holidaymakers paid tribute to their bravery.

How do we live our lives in the midst of uncertainty about our safety? For many, there’s a desire to honour our freedom and the view’s often expressed that terror tactics win if we stay in our homes, fearful and anxious. There’s also the notion that we cannot lose hope, even in the face of tragedy – a view we’ve heard from a number of the families and friends of those who were killed in last month’s shootings in Charleston, South Carolina and in the 7/7 tragedy 10 years ago.

In the aftermath comes the realities of rebuilding damaged and broken lives and communities through love, care and prayer.Ìý But it’s not easy, and words cannot express how hard it must be to find the strength to go on – sometimes even to forgive.

I am so grateful for stories of bravery and compassion shown by strangers in adverse and dangerous situations. It’s a reminder that people do care and that many really will show that ‘Greater Love’ - and lay down their life for another person.

So we pray for all those who have lost loved ones due to violence, and for those who live with the physical and mental injuries - and we ask for your healing peace in our world.Ìý Amen.

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