Once again we find ourselves reeling from a mass shooting, perpetrated by yet another coward who has desecrated life through a heinous act of hatred and terror. Since we’re often left not knowing what to say or to do in the wake of such a tragedy, let our first response be to bring our prayers before the throne of the Almighty, who alone has the power to heal and bring wholeness to this broken world:
“Abba, Father, our hearts are heavy over the tragic loss of life in Orlando. We struggle to understand why these senseless acts of evil seem to be happening with greater regularity. We can’t fathom how a human being could commit such an atrocious act against his fellow human beings, especially in the name of religion. And all we can do is cry out with the Psalmist, ‘How long, O Lord?!’ But in the midst of our pain, fear and questions we cling to Your Word which reminds us that ‘The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ Although death, darkness and the devil seem to be winning, we know that they have already been defeated through Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that You have won! While that truth doesn’t diminish the pain and sadness we feel for the victims and their loved ones, it does give us the assurance that the day is coming when ‘You will wipe away every tear from our eyes. The day when there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the older order of things will have passed away.’ As Your people, we wait for that day; and yet today we pray that You will comfort the loved ones of the victims. We pray that the Light of Christ will shine brightly into this present darkness. We pray that You will expose to the light the sin and self-righteousness within each of our hearts which keep us separated from You and from living and loving fully as Your followers. And we pray that Your Spirit will use us to be a light unto the world. All these things we pray in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen!”
Rev in Real Life 