A Prayer for Emanuel AME Church

Heavenly Father,

I know that you are good. I believe that all things are in your loving hands. I worship you for all that you are.

And yet, we don't live in a vacuum. We live, as Christians, in the midst of the brokenness of this world that surrounds us. A world in which a prayer meeting in a church is turned into a crime scene. A world in which people are willing to take the life of another person.

I repent that while I do care about this horrific act, I do not care as much as I ought. I long to be in prayer for this church and yet I do not pray as fervently as I ought. I confess that while I may have never pulled the trigger of a gun, my heart is not immune to hatred towards others.

Father, forgive us. We have seen significant racial tensions in our country over the past 12 months. We have seen significant loss of life. We have seen injustice. 

The Bible says that you are a God of justice. We come believing in you, trusting in you and pleading with you to be at work in our country and in the hearts of people to restore. We ask that you will renew. 

Will you please comfort those children who have lost a parent because of this tragedy. I pray that you will be at work in the lives of the parents of this 21 year old man. Father, you are the God of all comfort so will you do your comforting work in the ways that only you can.

I pray for courage for this church, this faith community. May they be able to stand strong in the face of adversity. Grant that they will stand strong and in unity with one another. Help them to display the love of Christ in the face of brokenness.

I pray for grace. I pray that your grace will abound. That this church will experience how your grace is sufficient even in these times of adversity and trial. I pray that your healing power will be at work. I pray that some how through the ashes and devastation that your name will receive the glory and praise that you are due. I confess that I do not know how you will work. I pray that stories of faith will emerge from this church and that they will bring glory and praise to your name.

In the name of our Lord and Savior
Amen