|
Dear GSPC Congregation and Friends,
My heart is heavy following the news of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
As I drove home yesterday and went about my evening I prayed for the children of Robb Elementary- for the survivors, for the lives lost. I prayed for the parents and teachers- for all who are affected by this tragedy.
I prayed for you- for your families. I prayed for your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews.
I thought of you as so many of you got up today and dropped your children off at school, a place where they should be safe as they celebrate the last week of school.
I have struggled to think of what could possibly be the right words at a time like this.
When terrible things happen, I like to stick to what I do know.
Here is what I know:
God is with us in life and in death. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8)
Jesus’s heart was the first heart to break. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not stop them. For it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19.)
We can and should bring everything to God in prayer because prayer is powerful. Scripture reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Phillippians 4)
God calls us to act against injustice. “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:6-8)
I leave you with this prayer:
Holy and Comforting God,
It is in these times when we have no words that we need you the most. We are confused, scared, anxious, angry and frustrated, so we cry out to you once again.
God, we pray for the community of Uvalde, Texas. We pray for Robb Elementary- for the families that lost students and teachers. We pray for the students, teachers, families and administrators that had to get up today after the trauma that they witnessed yesterday. We pray for all who are affected by this tragedy.
Loving God, we pray for the children that we know personally that went to school today and for the parents that dropped them off and all of the feelings that came with that.
Meet us, God. In the midst of our confusion, fear, anxiety and anger, meet us. Breathe upon us your spirit of peace. Place your love upon our hearts.
Move us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you.
Open the doors for conversations to take place;. Open the eyes of our hearts to have compassion for our neighbors. Open our ears to listen.
We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
As you talk to the children in your life and answer their questions, I hope you will find the resources below useful:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-shootings?fbclid=IwAR0dTJEff1O3hp_phZWXR2y1_8jidgxR2Fe0yCKVqvQUO31hyiGQwM4ZpSQ
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Publications-Research/Publications/Free-ASCA-Resources/After-a-School-Shooting?fbclid=IwAR1awY8zEy7xzm3SU_0svla9OL-x6QNBSgYHHgfZWCrPNBCdElV5upfONvY
| 
