ABBA, last Friday's tragedy made us all scared; made us all ask "why"; made us all pray! It is in dangerous times like these that we, once more, desperately seek You.Words are mixed because emotions are also mixed, yet you know what we ask—we ask for protection. We ask for deliverance from trauma. Grant us peace... protection from evil... protection from taking vengeance... which we are so capable of committing. Now it is clear that life is short and that your mercy is new every day.
Father, teach us how to truly depend upon you because unless You protect and guard our city, our security forces guard it in vain. As we go through this pain and as we grieve for the loss of lives, grant us the courage to rise up again... not as defensive citizens but as children, sensitive to what You are teaching us. Let our strength be derived from our humble admission of our weaknesses.
As we bow down before you, desperately seeking your help, may we be granted godly perspective... the kind of perspective that transcends religion and politics; the kind of view that we can only see from below and not when we think or act superior.
Lord, grant us authentic recovery—not the quick type which does not last, grant us justice but take away from our minds all thoughts of vengeance, grant us peace in our hearts despite the threats that abound and confronts us daily, and Father, above all, grant us true grace... your grace, and not just a show of guts.
Make us willing to be instruments of comfort for those who have been directly hit by this tragedy, to give the gift of presence and silence to others instead of making pronouncements and judgments, to show support to those who make sacrifices for our freedom, and for those who are in authority... to live accountable and credible lives. To ask and depend upon You for the right words and timely wisdom which we need when we share our thoughts... for the wise use of social media as a venue to share hope and not further deepen the wounds.
Lord, we pray for this wounded city, that the pain we feel today will be a purging of our characters, preparing us for a God-dependent tomorrow.
Let us begin our day today with a fresh appreciation for your new mercies. Grant us joy over our daily loads that we may see you at work in our daily routines... that we may see your miracles performed in the ordinary and witness your grace abounding over the daily grind.Relieve us of the pressures and constantly remind us of your presence... let us live in peace.
In Jesus name,
Amen