We look on with sadness at the tragedy of the shooting in Uvalde. I fully believe that our calling at this time is to fall to our knees in prayer because prayer has power.
Those of us who are parents cringe at even looking at the news after things like this happen. It makes us hold our children tighter and shed tears for those lost. But even in our feelings of fear, we must hold fast to the truth that our God is bigger than the situation at hand. He can take it and redeem it for His good. I often think of Ephesians 3:20 in times like this and am reminded of His ability to do immeasurable things through us.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
– Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
If you are struggling for the words to say during this challenging time, I find that praying the words we find in scripture; specifically, the Psalms brings comfort and reminds me who is on the throne.
  1. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).
  2. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV).
  3. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV).
  4. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:1-6 NIV).