A Prayer For Uvalde and Buffalo

Hello Through the Word Family,

Pastor Jonathan here with a quick note to send our love and compassion to the communities of Uvalde Texas, Buffalo, New York, and other sites of violence.  As I sit and type this message, I can't help but grieve for the loss of life with these senseless acts of violence.  

It's hard to witness such violence. It's hard to make sense of it. It is easy to blame people, politicians, or parties for these tragedies.  Today is a terrible day, and will be remembered as a day of pain for many families for the rest of their lives.  

How should we respond as believers in times like this? The Bible gives us great insight.  

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalm 56:8

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

As you can see from the verses above, I find solace in the Psalms during times of anguish.  David and the other songwriters poured their hearts into the songs, and we experience the full spectrum of emotions when we read them.

It's okay to be angry. It's okay to grieve.  It's okay to be confused, to be hurt, to doubt. The Lord is here for us in these times. He will comfort us, and we can in turn be a comfort to others (see 2 Cor 1). 

Will you join me in praying for the victims of these tragedies? 

Lord, we grieve the loss of life we are seeing through senseless violence.  We cry out to you, begging for your comfort for the families of these victims.  We know you oppose the proud and unjust, those that hurt and attack others. May your justice prevail in our land.  Bring us peace in these times, and help us to remember you will comfort the brokenhearted. You will bind the would of the weary soul. You will help the weary. Reveal to us how we can help bring that comfort, that healing, and that help to those hurting around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

May you experience God's peace during this time. 

Jonathan