Todays Prayer for My Broken World

I was supposed to publish something fun as a Monday pick-me-up. But in light of today’s events, that’s not how I’m feeling.  Instead, I’m feeling a little broken and sad. Last night a lone gunman released a rapid-fire of bullets on an outdoor country music festival in Las Vegas, killing at least 50 people and injuring more than 400 others. They are saying this is the worst mass shooting in modern American history.

In covering today’s events, NPR reminded me that on an average day, 93 Americans are killed with guns – whether from murders, assaults, suicides & suicide attempts, unintentional shootings and police intervention. We have a problem, guys. We are very, very broken.

We all have ideas on what the solution could be – tighter gun control laws, more help for those with mental disorders, forcing certain people groups out of our country, etc. We all fight for what we think the solution should be and in the process, we end up creating borders that push us all further apart instead of bringing us closer together.

I don’t have a solution. But I know that I can put my faith in a God who desires only the best for us – who wants for us to find comfort and a home in Him so that we never feel lonely. I know that God can provide not just healing and fulfillment, but grace and overwhelming joy. He is the source of peace that we desire in our world, and we have to look to Him to find that in each of our individual lives. And because of that, I wanted to spend today praying for my world. I hope that you join me and that you are reminded of our true source of healing.

Dear God,

I come to you today broken and shattered for the world around me. Last night someone open fired on an outdoor country music festival, killing at least 50 people. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time, even in the past year, that violent shootings have broken the people around me. I have no words to speak to the pain and heartache I have for those experiencing these events.

I ask today that you come down with overwhelming love and peace in this world. We are broken. We desire a place where we fit in. We desire fulfillment and love. And our community as a whole is looking in all the wrong places.

You are my home. You are my comfort. You are my source of truth. I know that you are the answer to our pain. Please heal this broken world. Make your presence known to those around me. Use me to be a light – to represent your grace, love, and truth. I know I’m far from perfect and that it’s only by your grace that I can stand here and know that I am saved. Teach me how to be your heart so that I can share your heart with others.

Place people in the midst of the chaos in Las Vegas that can be your hands and feet. That can spread your love and healing, both physically and emotionally. Give them the words and the strength to be light.

Please have grace on us. Help us to find you, draw closer to you, and find our source of truth in you. You are a mighty God who desires nothing but the best for your people. And I know that when someone hurts your people, that your heart breaks. I thank you for the grace you have already given us and for the overwhelming blessings you provide to us even in the midst of all our mistakes.

I lift up this world to you. I love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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