O Lord, we know that tragedies never change Your love or Your presence among us. Tragedies are moments when you make Your love real and personal to those who trust You and call on You. Your presence gives us hope because all of life’s circumstances are always under Your loving control.
It is Your presence among us that allows a watching world to see the compassion that You have for us all. You immediately stirred within us in these days hearts that continue to suffer alongside those who have suffered most–the families whose lives have been shattered by catastrophic national disasters. May you in these days counsel us greatly to know your wisdom and how best to express Your love to those in need.
And help us now to recognize and know Your presence in this existing tragedy, that none may despair. For we know that You invite all who are “burdened and heavy laden” to come to You and take Your yoke upon them, that they might learn day by day and moment by moment from You. May they find rest and peace in the midst of this unexpected storm.
Grant also Your enabling courage to those on the front line who risk their own lives for the sake of others. May emotional and physical stamina be given in great measure to our policemen, firemen, military, and health care workers. We know that many of them are, likewise, experiencing enormous personal and corporate loss and pain.
We pray that in all things Lord You will provide wisdom and discernment to our local, state, and national leaders as they face many challenging decisions. And, finally, grant patient hearts to people as they experience delays in their needed help.
You said, “All authority, in heaven and on earth is Yours” and that You would “be with us to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18). We are now fully trusting in Your promise that “nothing will be able to separate us from Your love” (Rom. 8:35 – 39).
Thank You – right now – for Your promises, and Your presence among us!
This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.
