I asked Pastor Randall Floyd of the Assembly Church of God in Clayton, New Mexico, to lead us in prayer over the horrific tragedy in Las Cruces, NM.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you now with heavy, grieving hearts. Not only for those involved in the mass shooting in Las Cruces, but for the many such tragedies around the entire state of New Mexico. We must deal with the reality that even the smallest rural communities of our state are not immune to such violence in this day and time. And although Your Word declares that the world will be like this the closer we are to Your Second Coming, we know that as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we must continue to pray and spread the good news of Your Gospel.
Ours has become a state where evil and sin are elevated and praised, while the Word of God and those who are true believers are maligned, ridiculed, and persecuted. With each tragedy, we find that those things which are displeasing to You are the root cause. And while we grieve for the injured and the families of the dead, may we be even more diligent in repenting for the sins of our state and our leadership. May they come to realize that their decisions are harmful, dangerous, and sinful – driving many good people away from this state, causing the state to excel in the wrong areas, and to be “number one” in areas we should never desire to be.
May the spiritual leaders of this state also take a good long look in the spiritual mirror and make sure we are not falling prey to the sin of becoming teachers who “tickle the ears” of our listeners. May we repent for our unwillingness to preach “the Word; the whole Word of God”, firmly and truthfully, from a heart of true love. May we realize that while politics are an important part of our lives as citizens of this state and nation, our number one way to win the battle against evil is on our knees in prayer. The real answer to our problems will come from the church house, not the Roundhouse.
Give wisdom and protection to those who have accepted the responsibility and duty of enforcing the law and attempting to maintain peace. May they once again earn the respect their positions should receive.
Place Your Hand of Protection around us and our families as we strive daily to serve You faithfully. May we look for You in all that we do so that many will come into the Kingdom of God. Remind us that wherever You have placed us, we are to be like Esther, and recognize that we are here “for such a time as this”.
We ask that our prayers will be answered in Your perfect will; Your perfect way; and Your perfect timing.
We ask this in the powerful Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
UPDATED! Police Confirm 3 dead, 14 injured following Mass-Shooting in Las Cruces, New Mexico
