A Prayer for America during tragedy

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you with heavy hearts.

We are shocked, angered, and terrified

that a young person would plan an assassination

and fire into a crowd to hurt people.

We confess his sin and ask for your forgiveness.

We ask for your Spirit to comfort everyone traumatized by this shooting

and heal everyone who was hurt.

Only your Son and your Spirit can redeem this tragedy.

Lord, we need revival in the church and in this country!

Convict us to be more concerned about souls than elections,

to be compassionate rather than judgmental,

to be loving rather than vengeful.

May we never rejoice in the misfortune of others

or elevate an earthy kingdom over your heavenly one!

Lord God, move in us and through us!

Protect and bless those who serve you and proclaim your truth;

convict and change those who are blinded by the devil’s schemes.

May we, the Church, be known for our love and grace.

Change us into the likeness of your Son!

Comfort us in our grief and encourage us in our fear.

In Jesus’ powerful name,

Amen.

Psalm 143:3-6

The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
⁵ I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
⁶ I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.

 

In reverent memory of Corey Comperatore, father & husband. July 13, 2024.