Bloodshed fills headlines, confronting public with anxiety

I simply don't know how to respond to the events of these past few weeks. With a truck used to slaughter 84 people in Nice, France; the assassination of 5 police officers in Dallas, the assassination of three more police officers in Baton Rouge; apparently senseless shooting of a man ( Philando Castile) during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, MN; another supposed armed citizen (Alton Sterling) outside of a convenience store in Baton Rouge; the slaughter of 49 people in a night club in Orlando; an attempted military coup of the Turkish government in which nearly 200 people died; in America alone over 3000 unborn children are slaughtered in the womb every day. Our world seems to be exploding and it is so difficult to remember that God really is in charge at a time when evil is everywhere. I don't know how to pray. I don't know what to preach. What I do know is that God has selected me (like so many others) for such a time as this. I'm reminded of God's instruction from Paul's letter to the church at Philippi: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

That is our recourse, Christian friends; prayer. Notice that Paul says that if we will resort to prayer in those anxious moments, we will experience peace.“Peace is not the absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition of benevolence, confidence, justice.” Baruch Spinoza (a Dutch philosopher of the 17th century)

Turn to your Bible to see what God has to say to you and then pray with all your heart that God will heal not only our land but also the faithful lands across the world. "... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Won't you pray with me? "

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us of our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever.

Amen