The Proper Christian Response to the Death of the Enemy

"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end," Father Lombardi said.

"In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred."

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican Spokesman

Prayer For our Enemies
"O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (1979 B.C.P.).

A Prayer to be said before a battle:

O MOST powerful and glorious Lord God, the Lord of hosts, that rulest and commandest all things; Thou sittest in the throne judging right, and therefore we make our address to thy Divine Majesty in this our necessity, that thou wouldest take the cause into thine own hand, and judge between us and our enemies. Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us; for thou givest not alway the battle to the strong, but canst save by many or by few. O let not our sins now cry against us for vengeance; but hear us thy poor servants begging mercy, and imploring thy help, and that thou wouldest be a defence unto us against the face of the enemy. Make it appear that thou art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Prayer with respect to the enemy:

THOU, O Lord, art just and powerful: O defend our cause against the face of the enemy.
O God, thou art a strong tower of defence to all who fly unto thee: O save us from the violence of the enemy.
O Lord of hosts, fight for us, that we may glorify thee.
O suffer us not to sink under the weight of our sins, or the violence of the enemy.
O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thy Name's sake. Amen.

(1789 B.C.P.)

Thanksgiving after a Victory.
A Psalm or Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving.

IF the Lord had not been on our side, now may we say; if the Lord himself had not been on our side, when men rose up against us;
They had swallowed us up quick, when they were so wrathfully displeased at us.
Yes, the waters had drowned us, and the stream had gone over our soul; the deep waters of the proud had gone over our soul.
But praised be the Lord, who hath not given us over as a prey unto them.
The Lord hath wrought a mighty salvation for us.
We got not this by our own sword, neither was it our own arm that saved us; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto us.
The Lord hath appeared for us; the Lord hath covered our heads, and made us to stand in the day of battle.
The Lord hath appeared for us; the Lord hath overthrown our enemies, and dashed in pieces those that rose up against us.
Therefore not unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but unto thy Name be given the glory.
The Lord hath done great things for us; the Lord hath done great things for us, for which we rejoice.
Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, from this time forth for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
(1882 B.C.P.)