“Rep. Gabrielle Giffords remains in critical condition after a shooting rampage at a Tucson, Arizona shopping center that has shaken the nation and left at least six people dead and more than a dozen wounded. Giffords, was shot in the head at point blank range by a man who opened fire during a meet-and-greet with constituents. Among the dead are an aide to the congresswoman, a 9-year-old girl and U.S. District Judge John Roll. President Obama called the shooting ‘a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country. We are going to get to the bottom of this and we will get through this,’ he said.” (from USA Today)
May we join together in prayer as a response to this horrible tragedy.
Our hearts grieve for the loss of precious lives and for those who were wounded. Lord, provide comfort and healing in the midst of sorrow and pain.
We pray for the families involved in this senseless tragedy.
We pray for the community as they pull together.
We pray for our leaders who need our encouragement as well as our criticism.
And we pray for God to show us how to rightly respond to this crisis.
How can we get more involved to help those in need?
How can we look more carefully around us and ask our neighbor, our coworker, our friend: “How are you doing?” and really mean it?
Lord, give us the compassion to care and the courage to act.
Thank you, Lord for bringing us healing and comfort in the midst of our despair. Help us to trust more deeply in You. We ask all of this in the Holy name of our Lord and Savior. Amen.
In the midst of tragedy -- The Apostle Paul writes:
(Joy is an attitude of trust in the midst of doubt.)
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.
(Being considerate is our best witness in the midst of conflict.)
(The Lord provides hope in the midst of despair.)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
(Worry accomplishes nothing but prayer is a step forward.)
(Replace worry with trust.)
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
(Replace worry with peace.)
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7)
May your hearts be full of peace as you serve Christ today.
May your church be ready to hear God’s Word.
May you be ready to serve as God gently guides your path.
May we do it all in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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