Today, and everyday, I pray for all whose lives are being torn by tragedy - losing someone close to our hearts through a debilitating illness, or by accident, or because of brutal conflicts - blood that is being shed right now in many parts of the world surreptitiously made up because of greed and lust for power.
The devastation of towns and cities that once bustled with life, families torn apart by bombings forcing thousands of families to flee their homes. They leave their families and their homeland and their former life behind as everything they knew is torn to shreds. This is true today as it was before, in Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and now in the Middle East. We have all been victims of war and conflict directly or indirectly. Every generation is affected.
Increasing violence and mass shootings have pervaded our local communities and schools victimizing innocent men, women, and young children – and ironically, most of the mayhem are executed by the very people whom we elect into public office including law enforcement agencies who are suppose to protect us.
I ask our Lord Jesus Christ to shower our brothers and sisters who are in need of comfort, including the homeless and the hungry, with your love and mercy in light of your own suffering which brought us eternal life.
Please lead them through darkness. As in Psalm 34:18, it is written, 'The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' Let there also be peace and reconciliation to those who are in broken relationships: poor marriages, family feuds, soured friendships, and neighborly spats.
We pray for all those from whom we are estranged. Please heal us and grant us the courage and the strength to ask for forgiveness, as we also forgive those who have wronged us. Deliver us from misunderstandings, ignorance, neglect, and rid us of our narcissistic and self-indulgent behavior.
For our part, my dear brothers and sisters, let us heed what we read in Hebrews 12:14-15 where it urges us to "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without Holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows-up to cause trouble and defile many."
Let us be present, and not be “invisible”, to our beloved ones . Please love your spouse, care for your children. Hug your friends and neighbors including those whom you disagree with. Let there be peace on earth, and may God have mercy on us all. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen...