Friday, April 20, 2007

I don’t have any orange clothing, but I am wearing burgundy today in honor of the VaTech families.

Related, our church had a candlelight-prayer service last night. It was moving to pray with folks for the VaTech community. Most moving was the compassion and intercession for the Cho family. Cards were given for us to write notes of encouragement and condolence to the families of those lost on Monday, including the Cho family. Sadly, they are apparently scared about reprisals and are in hiding - my prayer is that a community of friends would come along side that family to be light in this dark time and show them as much compassion as the families of their son’s victims.

Above all we pray that God would make His presence known to everyone affected by Monday’s events and that He would provide grace, peace, and comfort to all who mourn.

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.

5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

Amen.