January 8, 2026

With Sighs Too Deep for Words

On Wednesday evenings, we rotate how we do prayers of the church. Sometimes we pray by lighting candles, other times we pray using only two words like thank you or help us. Last night, our prayers were post-it notes. Everyone is invited to submit their own post-it notes of gratitude and lament.

Truthfully, I was thankful that was our method of prayer because on the evening of the murder of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, I didn’t quite have my own words to speak into the grief, and sadness for her family, her loved ones, and for our dear community in Minneapolis.

In my time at Grace there have been 3 very large shootings affecting our state: George Floyd, Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and now Renee Nicole Good. I don’t know what will come next. Thousands protested and prayed last night in the neighborhood where she had been killed. I’ve listened to news reports. While thousands gathered at a vigil, our Bible Study met as planned—subdued and sad, but together. I turned to Romans 8, when Paul reminds us that we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us, in sighs too deep for words. Indeed. I don’t have words that suffice. But when we prayed the post-it notes- we did pray for the family of Renee Nicole Good. We prayed for our city. We prayed for a change. We also prayed for easier things like stuffed tigers and returning to school, and teachers who are sick.

Prayers are indeed a gift given to us in times of lament. We get to collectively name our grief, and loss, our fear, and discomfort. We also hopefully find a way to hope in the midst of our prayers that we can find things to be thankful for. Prayers are the beginning, the foundation from which we move into action. We have to consider how we show up in love and care for our neighbor. The Gospel is about Good News for all people. All people. What happened yesterday was unjust and heart-breaking. And it’s not an isolated event.

Minnesota once again has the spotlight on us. Unfortunately, once again it’s for a horrible thing that has happened. I love our state. We are a people who care, who show up, who provide. There truly is no place I would rather live. And so, this morning, as I sit in the darkness of my house before the sun rises, I pray:

God, hear our prayers and our cries to you. We pray O God for the family of Renee Nicole Good as they grieve her death, and we pray for her friends, and neighbors. We pray for our State. For the Minnesota Spirit of compassion and care to be one that leads us forward in love. Give us the words to express our laments and also clear actions to be peace makers in a time that feels violent and oppositional. Help us to hear each other, to listen deeply, to be curious, to seek understanding and to act in ways of justice, mercy and peace, following your ways, your truth, your light. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Blessing and love,

Pastor Joanna Mitchell