Greetings Prayer Warriors,
“17 Killed in Mass shooting.”
Once again tragedy strikes, this time at a Florida high
school. It is heartbreaking to hear of such a senseless loss of
life. Please pray for all of the families who lost love ones as well as
all the surviving students and staff who are traumatized. Please pray for
their emotional healing so that anger, resentment, bitterness, and hate won't
set up a permanent camp to destroy them further.
Our God comes and will not be silent! The heavens proclaim
his righteousness, for God himself is the judge. Psalms 50:3, 6
Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse
them.
Romans 12:14
I now ask that you open your hearts wider. While what the
shooter did was very evil, let us pray for him too.
“You have committed a grave sin. Now I will go up to the
LORD; perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin.” Exodus 32:30
While many are crying out for greater gun control, my gut
cries out that we have to look even further upstream.
Let’s look at the stability of his family life. He was adopted as a baby, lost his
new father at the young age of 5/6, suffered from developmental and learning
disabilities for most of his life, and then loses his mother at age 18/19,
which was just last November. He made several bad choices in his life. There is no excuse for his behavior, but I
feel a great sadness for him.
Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Romans
5:20
What impact does the breakdown of his family have? What impact would an early diagnosis and
treatment of mental illness and depression have? If these things weren’t major
issues in our country, would we be worrying about guns?
Only God knows.
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. James 5:13
Lord, we so often feel helpless when tragedy
strikes. Let us remember that you have taught us how to pray. We ask for
a conversion of the shooter, that he may become contrite of heart and repent of
his evil ways. We ask for your healing grace upon the families and community
that are suffering so greatly. May your great love bring them comfort and
peace and lead them to a place of forgiveness.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Forgiveness.
Mercy. Love. Pass it on.
