Weekend of Prayer for Lance Shockley

This Weekend of Prayer for Lance Shockley (October 10–12) brings together people of faith and conscience to pray for mercy, truth, and hope. On this page you will find everything you need to take part: a simple vigil outline to guide gatherings, Lance’s own sermon (which can be read online or downloaded), suggested themes for each day, ways your community can participate, and a faith leader toolkit with prayers, bulletin inserts, and social media resources. However you join, in worship, in vigil, or in quiet prayer, know that your voice is part of a larger chorus calling for compassion and justice.

Vigil Outline

If your community gathers for a vigil, here is a simple guide to help structure your time together. It can be adapted for any tradition, setting, or length of observance.

Opening Prayer:

(light a candle)

We light a light in the name of the God who creates life, in the name of the Savior who loves life, in the name of the Spirit who is the fire of life.

Scripture Options:

Exodus 14:10-31
Philippians 3:4b-14
Romans 8:18-39
Matthew 5:1-16

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Litany:

Reader: For our world leaders and our prison systems. May they be models of justice and compassion. We pray:

All: God of mercy, hear us.

Reader: For those who are in prison, especially the most vulnerable. May they discover Christ inside and share their resources. We pray:

All: God of mercy, hear us.

Reader: For the family and friends of those who are in prison. May they maintain strong connections and receive the support they need. We pray:

All: God of mercy, hear us.

Reader: For those who are suffering in body, mind or spirit. May they know the presence of God and of those who care. We pray:

All: God of mercy, hear us.

Reader: For those who have died, especially while in prison. May they experience the freedom of God’s reign, for ever and ever.

All: God of mercy, hear us.

Leader: Liberating God, You hear us in our need. Work through us to shine your light in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord, All: Amen.

Closing Prayer:

Generous God, we give you thanks for your beloved Jesus Christ, in whom you have shared the beauty and pain of human life. Look with compassion upon all for whom we pray, and strengthen us to be your instruments of healing in the world, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dismissal:

Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Him who loves us.

-Desmond Tutu

Central to this weekend is Lance’s own voice. Written in his hand and from his heart, his sermon “Never Give Up” may be read aloud in services or used for private reflection. You can also download the complete sermon.

Never Give Up

A Sermon by Lance Shockley

The title of this message is one I came up with months ago. It took a lot of time and prayer to formulate my thoughts into something coherent and presentable. I even considered not sharing it at all, but the Holy Spirit persuaded me that there is purpose in shared resiliency. “Never Giving Up” is a motto I try to live by daily, but recently it has taken on an even deeper meaning for me personally.

So as I share this with you, know that I’ve preached it to myself a thousand times before in one form or another.

Suggested Themes for the Weekend

We encourage faith communities to reflect on a shared theme each day of the weekend: mercy on Friday, truth on Saturday, and hope on Sunday. These themes can shape your prayers, readings, or sermons.

  • Friday, October 10: Mercy & Dignity
    Prayers for compassion and recognition of the sacred worth of every life.

  • Saturday, October 11: Truth & Courage
    Prayers for courage to face doubt, and for truth to be revealed through DNA testing and full review.

  • Sunday, October 12: Hope & Community
    Prayers of hope for Lance, his family, and all families touched by violence. A call for leaders to act with mercy and justice.

Ways to Participate

Every community can take part in its own way, whether through prayer during regular worship, a moment of silence, lighting candles, or sharing a message online. Here are suggested practices to guide your participation.

  • Incorporate a prayer or intercession into your Friday, Saturday, or Sunday service.

  • Read Lance’s sermon (in whole or in part) as part of worship or reflection.

  • Hold a candlelight vigil or moment of silence in solidarity.

  • Invite congregants to pray at a set time each day of the weekend (Friday noon, Saturday evening, Sunday morning).

  • Share on social media that your community is praying, using provided graphics and sample language.

Faith Leader Toolkit

To make participation easier, we have prepared ready-to-use resources including bulletin text, announcement scripts, sample intercessions, vigil outlines, and social media posts. All materials can be copied directly or adapted for your tradition. You can also download this toolkit in a one page PDF.

Bulletin Insert (≈90 words)

This weekend (Oct 10–12), faith communities across Missouri and beyond are joining in a Weekend of Prayer for Lance Shockley, a man scheduled for execution on Oct 14. Lance is a man of faith, and serious questions remain about the fairness of his conviction and sentence, including untested DNA evidence. We pray for mercy, truth, and hope—for Lance, his family, all families touched by violence, and for leaders to act with wisdom and compassion. Please join us in prayer during this time.

Announcement Script (30-45 seconds)

“Friends, this weekend our community joins others across Missouri and beyond in a Weekend of Prayer for Lance Shockley, a man of faith scheduled for execution on October 14. We are praying for mercy, for truth, and for time for DNA testing and full review. Please keep Lance, his family, and all families touched by violence in your prayers.”

Intercessions / Prayers of the People

  • For Lance Shockley, his family, and all who carry grief, we pray for mercy.

  • For leaders in Missouri, that they may act with wisdom and compassion, we pray for courage.

  • For truth to be revealed, including through DNA testing, we pray for justice.

  • For those working in the justice system, may they be guided by mercy.

  • For victims, survivors, and communities touched by violence, we pray for peace.

Social Media Copy & Graphics

Post 1:
“This weekend (Oct 10–12), our faith community joins others in prayer for #LanceShockley—a man of faith scheduled for execution on Oct 14. We pray for mercy, truth, and hope. Will you join us?”

Post 2:
“Light a candle. Hold a moment of silence. Read Lance’s sermon. Every prayer matters. #Mercy #Hope #IStandWithLance”

Story caption:
“Weekend of Prayer for Lance Shockley | Oct 10–12 | Mercy. Truth. Time.”

Alt text for images:
“Single candle in darkness with text: Weekend of Prayer for Lance Shockley, Oct 10–12.