A Prayer for Oregon

There are 20 parents who will never again speak to their children after the shooting in Oregon. There are siblings, and grandparents, neighbors and friends who have lost a relationship that ended at the hands of a violent criminal.

Likely, the parents of the killer sit numbed and in disbelief. And our nation faces another roiling gun control argument while we reel in the aftermath of such horror, trying to stem a tide of anger, blame, defense and rationalization.

All I can think to do is pray.

[bctt tweet=”All I can think to do is pray. #OregonShooting”]

Heavenly Father, God Almighty, please, in the name of Jesus hear our prayer. Lord, the heartbreak is overwhelming, the senseless violence is beyond tragic. I can’t pretend to know or comprehend why any of this happens but I know Lord that this tragedy doesn’t catch you by surprise. Lord I know you welcomed your loving saints into heaven this day but on earth the heartbreak of their loved ones has only begun. The “if onlys” and “I should haves” that will haunt them have perhaps not even entered their mind yet as they begin to live in their new reality. Lord, send your Spirit to strengthen, help, balm, and encourage their broken hearts. Grant their families the support and love they will need in the days, weeks and years to come. Lord lead your saints on earth to be the hands and feet of Jesus and let them feel YOUR love in every hug and condolence offered.

Father, the reports coming out of this tragedy are not yet clear and likely by the time this prayer hits the website, new information will have been released. Lord I just pray. I really don’t even know what to pray but I’m thankful that through our feeble earthly mutterings your Spirit interprets and prays on our behalf and that Jesus you incessantly pray for us. God in heaven…with broken hearts we lift up these heartbroken families to you and just ask Lord for you to be a palpable presence in their lives. In Jesus name…amen.