Like all of you, I find myself heartbroken over the tragedy of yet another mass-shooting that’s taken place this past week. This one claiming at-least 18 lives and leaving dozens injured. The pain that the entire town of Lewiston, Maine is enduring right now coupled with the fear of the suspected killer still at large, well, I don’t have words to articulate how difficult this must be for them.
As I’ve been thinking and praying about the tragic events in Lewiston and the countless lives that have been forever changed because of this, I found myself asking these questions…
“If I was there right now… if I was pastoring a church in Lewiston, Maine, what would I say? What words would I offer up to the families who have lost loved ones in the most horrific of ways? Would I really simply tell them, ‘I’m praying for you?’
By no means am I suggesting that prayer is wrong or that prayer is not needed in moments like this… prayer is needed in EVERY moment. That being said, what I find myself struggling with is ‘if’ telling someone from Lewiston that ‘I’m praying for you’ is truly sufficient?
Clearly, the needs that the men and women of Lewiston currently have, and will continue to have in the coming months, are incalculable. There are and will be financial, physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual needs. And to be honest with you, God might choose to use you/us to meet some of those needs as we are only 135 miles away from Lewiston.
But there is a need that is so unique that it can only be met by One… it’s the need of Presence. Often God uses our presence to bring comfort to those in need of comfort, but as we all know, we are unable to be in all places with all people at all times… but God can.
Pray for healing… yes.
Pray for protection… yes.
Pray for the capture of the one who committed these heinous crimes.
Pray for comfort… absolutely yes.
Pray for practical and immediate needs to be met… yes.
Pray for the church to be a beacon of light in these dark times… yes.
Pray for the gospel to be seen, heard, and felt… 100% yes.
All of these things are good and necessary to pray for… so let’s pray them. But for today and very specifically in the coming days, would you join me in praying for God’s Presence to be felt in very real and tangible ways by those who are reeling in pain? Would you join me in praying that the God who can be in all places at all times would draw ever so close to the 37,000+ men, women, students, and children living in Lewiston?
Maybe before even doing anything else, take a moment to pray this with me:
“Heavenly Father, please, allow every single heart and soul in Lewiston, Maine to be overwhelmed with your Presence right now. I pray that you would give them what they need most right now which is You and Your Presence with them. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
I’m grateful to know that this is a prayer that God can and will answer. Thanks for praying… both now and in the days to come!
