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A Moment of Prayer

“O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.”¹

“I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!... Lord, do not let evil people have their way.”²

In light of the recent shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, our hearts break for the families of Katherine Koonce (60), Cynthia Peak (61), Mike Hill (61), and Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and Willliam Kinney who were nine years old. Not only do we lift these families in prayer, but also the friends and community.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, “their murders were the 129^th mass shooting in the US this year.” The archive defines a mass shooting as “one in which four or more people are shot or wounded, not counting any attackers.” Such great evil in the heart of people, that would lead them to act in such atrocious ways, is difficult to comprehend. We know our world is broken, and suffering will come as a result of that brokenness. However, God is STILL in control when things seem out of control, and His heart breaks with ours. He hears every cry, and His promises still stand. He will never leave or forsake us. His faithfulness will always endure.

Please join me in prayer today:

Heavenly Father, there are many things we don’t understand, and we can’t help but question the “why” when incidents like this arise. Sadly, this isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last, as this world falls deeper into sin and further away from you.

Merciful Lord, please heal the brokenhearted, comfort those who are mourning, give strength to the weak, and as the grieving process begins for so many, I pray that they would feel you near. Show yourself to them in new and powerful ways. Give hope to the hopeless.

Loving Savior, I pray that, as your church, you would unite us. That we would humble ourselves and seek your face. I ask for forgiveness if we have sinned against you. Please help us turn from our wicked ways, and from the place of complacency that many have fallen into. Have mercy and hear our prayers. Please restore our broken land.

Gracious God, please replace the fear that is creeping in with your peace and give us the courage to stand in the face of adversity. Thank you for Heaven, where there is no more suffering, no more pain, and where all your children will stand together with those who have gone before us one day and praise you because You are always, only good. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

1.    Psalm 140:1-2 (NLT).

2.    Psalm 140:6,8 (NLT).

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.