Walking into the auditorium so familiar to me, there was something so different tonight. Men and women in uniform were visibly present. Many churches from our community gathered together to honor the officers who lost their lives Sunday in Baton Rouge. Our state. Our capital. Our familiar streets. Our country. Our world. . . again.
And just like every other community who has experienced the same pain and tragedy, we gathered together – to pray.
And sing at the top of our lungs.
And cry tears.
Take time to walk around and talk to the officers and troopers and their families.
Deep hugs.
I’ve never approached a state trooper before – much less expecting to be grabbed into one of the biggest, tightest hugs I have ever had – like someone grasping for a lifeline filled with hope and encouragement – holding on for dear life – weeping.
When all officers of the law were asked to stand – there were at least a hundred of them – from every area of law enforcement – many of them not in uniform.
For an hour and a half, twenty believers and leaders from our community walked to the microphone. Together we lifted all of our law enforcement officers up to God. We prayed for God’s protection for them, peace for their families and for us all to continue these prayers for all who serve to protect us around this entire country.
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6
His voice trembling with emotion, his words filled each of us with the hope we know is our rock and strength – the word and promise and presence of God.
We listened repeatedly as these servants of our community affirmed their strength and courage and ability to run to the danger as we all run from it – in God.
As the prayer service ended, I was walking out with my nine year old grandson. Zack is autistic – high functioning. I didn’t know how much of what was going to happen he would absorb. However, he was fully engaged in the service. I pray I always remember his sweet voice singing loudly – I Love You Lord – Amazing Grace and many more.
I stopped in the foyer – off to the side with him.
“Zack – I want to explain to you why we were here tonight. Yesterday in Baton Rouge a man shot and killed three police officers and another one is really hurt. It is such an awful thing that has happened. It has been really sad. But I want you to always remember tonight. When we are really hurting and really bad things happen, we come together – we come to worship God and to pray to Him and be together. I want you to always remember this is how we act when bad things happen. So many times we can be afraid. God doesn’t want us to be afraid but to remember He is always with us. It is a gift God has given us to be able to tell Him how much this hurts our hearts. We cry and we pray and we ask God to help us remember Him because He loves us. God always hears us. Ok little buddy?”
Eyes wide open he nodded – and promised and threw his arms around me and held me – and I held him tight.
And so in these days of uncertainty – these days that easily can fill us with fear – I want to encourage you to also turn that thought of fear into an immediate prayer – lifting your heart and every heart up to God – you will be amazed at how many times a day you are praying. The beautiful part of that is how you will begin to realize it is your heart that is changing and every time a heart is changed, the world shifts – one heart at a time.
“Lord, God, Father and creator of this world – we come broken to You. We ask Lord to forgive us for the ways we have contributed to the problems of this world – either by being part of the problem or choosing to ignore it by disconnecting and convincing ourselves it isn’t about us. Well, Lord, the closer and closer it gets to us, the bossier this mess gets. We can not ignore it. Even though we are not the law enforcement officers who run physically to “it” we can be the prayer warriors that face “it” head on instead of turning to run away. So please hear our words Lord. Hear our hearts. May we become the “media” people begin to turn to. May we speak the truth – Your Truth – boldly and may others who see “You” in us – realize we do have options in how we respond to the fear surrounding us. Let us be Your message and messengers in every step we take today and all our days to come. We love You Lord – we love You. Forgive us as we have contributed – and lift us up when we fall. Amen”
Well said.