Prayer in times of Sorrow

Prayer in times of sorrow

Violence amongst us. - Why?

We take a look towards the east and see and read of the horrible atrocities in Kosovo. The sadness, the pain, the suffering and absolute helplessness that is etched on all the refugees faces as they cross the borders to uncertainty. I cant begin to comprehend what possess one man to slay another without a second thought. But as much as I look towards the east, I need look no further than my own country, South Africa, and see the daily violence between the different ethnic cultures that makes up this beautiful country. The hatred, the anger, the jobless, the homeless, the endless struggle against poverty are just some of the issues that sparks off violent behavior. We live in a violent social environment, where it seems almost natural to hate our neighbor and act harmfully towards our brothers and sisters. We are then lured into buying guns to protect ourselves, yet these self same guns somehow reach the hands of criminals and then the real disaster is inevitable. As I open the daily newspaper, I read stories of rape, murder, theft, child abusers, family slayings. The list is endless, the headlines larger, more frequent and it seems that their is no limit to what one person is prepared to do to another. - Why ?

The latest headline is the terrible 'Suicide Killers' in Denver, Colorado. This violence is many miles from me, yet I feel it in my heart just as if it were right here in my own hometown. What makes young boys like Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, walk into the Columbine High School and gun down 13 pupils and teachers? And then after doing the dreaded deed, they turn their guns on themselves and take their own lives. What causes such hatred, such pain, such senselessness ? Do the kids of today watch to much violence on the TV or is it the Internet itself ? Who really is to blame ? The parents, the governments and law makers, the Society we live in ? Do we indeed have a real answer? Sometimes I don't believe we do as it seems that from one day to another, it is getting worse. Where and what are the answers ?

What words would be adequate to console those who have lost loved ones ? I personally have lost two brothers due to tragic accidents and I have felt the love and genuine compassion that another had for me in my time of grief. I however, have never been in the situation to have to console somebody else, other than family members. What are the words that we offer others. Do we have to be in a similar situation for those words to flow naturally? I don't know. Maybe someone could try and share their experience with me.
All I can offer at this very moment, is my uttermost compassionate love, that I receive from Jesus Christ, our Savior and comforter. I pray that He may heal your hearts and fill your grieving emptiness with His love. For we mere mortals have but nothing, other than His power, His compassion, His sorrow, His thoughts, His gentle loving care. So, in Jesus' wonderful name, I pray for all of you who are directly touched by this tragic event, and also those that have had similar past experiences. I would not forget the person next door, the stranger, the average man on the street, as I believe we are all touched and shocked by this, wherever we may live or come from. This is, and has become part of our lives, in every land, no country is excluded, this is universal. We're in this together, so let's pray, have compassion, spread the love, together. As much as we pray for those who have lost loved ones in Denver, we must not forget the people who suffer in every place of conflict. Far to numerous to mention. Lets all stand together and pray for universal peace, so that the love of Jesus Christ may enter the hearts of the victims and the felon. May the Lord God bless you and may your hearts be filled with the promise.

by: Greg Murray
22 April 1999

Lets be assured by Gods word

Trials & Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

Sufferings for His Glory

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8-18
Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4-13

The Great Promise

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

A Prayer for all who have lost loved ones
___________________________________

We seem to give them back to Thee, dear God,
Who gavest them to us, yet,
As Thou didst not lose in giving,
So we have not lost them by their return.
Not as the world giveth, givest Thou,
O Lover of Souls; what Thou givest,
Thou takest not away.
For what is Thine is ours always,
If we are Thine and life is eternal;
And love is immortal;
And death is only an horizon;
And horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

Lift us up, Strong Son of God,
That we may see further;
Cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly;
Draw us closer to Thyself,
That we may know ourselves closer to our beloved,
Who are in Thee.
And while Thou dost prepare a place for us,
Prepare us for that happy place,
That where they are,
And Thou art, we, too, may be,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord - Amen.

(This Prayer was read at my brother Boyd's, funeral)

I shall give Peace, declares the Lord

Sites to visit...

Pray for Us - (Columbine High School tragedy, Littleton, Colorado)
Colorado Christian Web Resource Guide - (Resources, Prayer, Links & More)

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Greg Murray