Praying over the Michigan shooting tragedy
Heavenly Father,
My heart is grieved at the loss of life in this recent school shooting.
I pray for your Spirit to comfort the families of the four high school students who needlessly lost their lives this week in Oxford, Michigan.
I ask for your power of conviction and repentance to fall on Ethan Crumbly, whose soul and mind must surely be under evil influence. I pray for him to find you. I pray for his mental health and the mental health of America’s children. I pray for school authorities to make mental health a priority in dealing with students, parents, and teachers.
I pray for Ethan’s parents, who have also been arrested. Lord, speak to them during this time about who you are and how they need you. I pray that the truth of their involvement will be discovered.
While the country and the town of Oxford is grieving and angry, Lord, I pray that hatred and retaliation don’t take over. Give justice to these grief-stricken families and wisdom to the authorities. I ask that you help each person affected by this tragedy find you in their mourning process.
Lord, change the fabric of our culture that celebrates, ignores, and excuses violence. Cause leaders to take correct actions to prevent violence in our schools. Give them wisdom not to make rash or poor decisions but not to avoid making decisions, either. Make us aware of our ever-growing mental and spiritual health crisis in this country. I pray that as a people, we would seek truth and seek your face.
I pray that at the center of the grief over violence in our schools, your followers will stand in justice and grace. I pray that we model Jesus’ life. Make us healthy. Help us do the work.
May I never judge or hate people for their sin. Your Son died to save all of us, and I am no less a sinner than anyone else. Teach me to love like you do. You have love and grace for those who do violence; you love me in my sins, too.
I am forgiven when I ask for it. Thank you, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus’ teachings upheld and added to the Old Testament laws. He actually calls us to a higher standard.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22)
Other prayers about violence:
Lament and confession over gun violence
Lament for a homicide: when a child kills a child
Prayer over the synagogue shooting
Lament about the Oregon shooting
A confession of racism in the US & a prayer for Ahmaud Arbery’s justice
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