Dear Southland Church,

We have witnessed horrific acts of violence in the news this week. As our hearts and minds grapple with these terrible events, I want to offer five biblical ideas for you to prayerfully consider with me. I hope they guide you to follow Jesus closely during this moment.

First, Pray for the grieving families.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.

One of the ways we love our neighbors, is by caring when they hurt. In response to the violence, there are hurting hearts this week. Parents have lost children. A wife has lost a husband. Children have lost a father. Friends have lost friends. It’s tragic and heartbreaking.

So, let’s remember them in prayer. Ask God to comfort them and wrap them in His arms of mercy. Ask for Him to make His presence known to them. If you know their names, pray for them by name. Pray for them to experience supernatural peace, comfort, and hope that is only found in Jesus.

Second, Live courageously by faith.

Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Samuel 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him.

We may be tempted to fear our surroundings. But, God calls us to overcome all fear through faith. We remember that our God still reigns and He is mighty. We do not need to fear, because the Lord is with us. We can live boldly, because He will have the final word in life and death. Jesus–who conquered the grave–holds the universe in His hands and will come again to judge the living and the dead. He has already won.

So, let’s stand up even more boldly against evil with our words and our actions. Let’s defend the weak and oppose the wicked. Let’s stand up for what is true and keep speaking the light into the darkness. Don’t stop. Walk by faith and keep courageously pushing back the darkness.

Third, Be peacemakers.

Mathew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Jesus calls us to strive to be the calm in the storm. We should look for the image of God in all people–even those we disagree with–and show them respect. We make peace with our posture–by being quick to listen and slow to speak. We make peace with our words–by showing respect and not being unwise with speech. We make peace with our actions–by serving others and loving our neighbors with good deeds.

Fourth, Leave vengeance to the Lord.

Romans 12:19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.

Romans 13:4 For [the governing authority] is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

1 Samuel 24:12 “May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you.”

We may be tempted to raise arms and lash out in our anger. In frustration, we are tempted to meet hate with hate. But God calls us to leave vengeance in His hands. Yes, the wicked and the violent need to be stopped. But God has ordained the government to be His instrument of justice.

So, release your anger unto the Lord in prayer and ask for Him to bring vengeance on the wicked. If you are angry, don’t lash out in violence. Instead, leave vengeance to the Lord. Our calling is to be peacemakers and to love our enemies.

Finally, Point to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

The darkness of this world isn’t going to be solved apart from Jesus. We need Him to redeem our sinful hearts and fill us with His righteousness. He offers us a better way of living and His kingdom come is the answer to our longings.

So, point to Jesus in your conversations about solutions. As we confess our sins, turn to Christ, and follow Him, we will see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

A prayer to pray: