January 09, 2011

Prayers for Arizona

I am still in shock about the shooting massacre that took place in Tuscon, AZ on Saturday, January 8th. As I watched the news reports roll in, I felt an mixture of emotions: sadness, anger, confusion, hatred towards the shooter and heart break for the victims' families.

I felt sad because innocent people were hurt and killed.

I felt angry because this is AMERICA and we are not supposed to have senseless violence. That is what our soldiers are fighting to protect for us abroad and it brings a new worry when we have to consider it on our own turf.

I was confused because of the conflicting reports.

I hated the shooter. I realize that he is probably suffering from a mental disorder, but I hated his actions. I hated that he thought this was the way he needed to express himself.

My heart ached (and still does) for the victims and their families. I cannot imagine the pain and agony they are experiencing right now.

As I began to sort through my feelings, naturally I wanted to ask God, "Why? Why do innocent people have to die or be seriously hurt like this?" There is no earthly answer that will satisfy me. This evening at church, we sang the hymn "In the Hours" by Helen Parmelee. If you would like to listen to it, click here.

1. In the hours of pain and sorrow,

When the world brings no relief

When the eye is dim and heavy,

And the heart oppressed with grief

While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!

While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!

2. When the snares of death surround us,

Pride, ambition, love of ease

Mammon with her false allurements,

Words that flatter, smiles that please

Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield

Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield

3. When forsaken in distress,

Poor despised and tempest-tossed

With no anchor here to stay us,

Drifting, sail and rudder lost

Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow

Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow

4. Thou the hated and forsaken,

Thou the bearer of the cross

Crowned of thorns and mocked and smitten,

Counting earthly gain but loss

When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee

When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee

5. Thou the Father's best beloved,

Thou the throned and sceptered King

Who but Thee should we adoring,

All our prayers and praises bring?

So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee

So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee

You see, sin like this makes God sad. The Bible tells us that he grieves over the sins of humanity. We do not understand why he allows tragedies like these to occur, but we must trust that, like the tapestry of our own lives, God is using this to bring glory to Himself in some way, even though our finite minds cannot comprehend how this might happen. Being angry at God during a time like this is counterproductive, because in times like these, we must cling even closer to him: In the hours of pain and sorrow/When the world brings no relief/When the eye is dim and heavy/And the heart oppressed with grief/While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!

It is my prayer that this tragedy would bring more people to know Christ, strengthen the bonds between current Christians with Christ and show the world that our hope is not built on earthly things. In times where we do not understand the “why” we must be thankful that we have a heavenly Father who controls all things and can see the big picture.

Don’t forget to pray for the wounded and the families of the deceased. Also, pray for our country, its leaders and your fellow Americans.

God Bless America.

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