When trouble stirs in the world, suffering rises to the surface.
It’s the natural response that occurs when you fill a world to the brim with broken people.
We’re called to love each other but end up loving our own safety, happiness, and fulfillment more.
When that trouble stirs, our hearts are stirred, too. Anger and revenge rise to the surface instead of Christ. So in this chaos, this restlessness of the soul, let’s choose today to let Christ rise to the surface of our hearts and rest in the knowledge that nothing is out of the scope of his love and compassion. Pray for the families who have been impacted by recent shootings and terror attacks – all of them – and seek to be a light to those around you.
It’s not natural for us to respond with such peace and hope. It goes against the grain of our culture.
But we must.
Because there is a peace that passes understanding in knowing that Christ is at the center of our souls – that, even though our hearts still hurt and break, there’s someone holding them.
There’s a hope because this is not the end. The cruelty we see is but a passing shadow.
So hold that hope close to your heart and move forward boldly with these words from Romans 12:9-13:
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
If you want to pray for those who have lost someone, or maybe you’re in the middle of your own heartache, visit the River Prayer Page, a hub for people seeking to hear and be heard. We’d love for you to share.
