This week we’ve had to absorb the devastating news of a racially motivated shooting in Buffalo, the breaking report of sexual abuse & cover-up scandal within the SBC, and another shooting in a Texas school. I am heartbroken, and just those few words can in no way convey the actual weight of it all.

I don’t want to write about this. Exactly three months ago, I wrote a blog post (To be Corrupt is Human, posted February 25, 2022 on heathyrhythmslifecoaching.com) talking about the heartbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Beyond the heartbreak, in that blog and in this one, I write about how we respond. I would urge you to go back and re-read that post as well as finishing this one.

I don’t want to write about this, partly because it is impossible to address every piece of heartbreaking news we receive. This blog and my life coaching business, though, are designed to address our health. Emotionally, and spiritually, this type of news wrecks us. We lament and grieve, and before we can even move on, there is more to lament and grieve. What then, are we to do?

Power. This is all about power. Power is what causes men to abuse others. The fear of losing power is what causes men to cover it up. Feeling powerless is what causes men to use weapons to kill other men, women and children, regardless the bias by which they choose the victims. What then, are we to do?

I have seen an outcry these past several days against the idea of ‘thoughts and prayers’ being sent out for the victims. I get it. Certainly this can be a throw away statement when we don’t know what else to do, and almost as certainly it often is not followed up with fervent prayer. But…

Power. This is all about power. We cry out for new leadership, but we’ve had new leadership over and over again. Human leaders will fail us, for to be corrupt is human. It is time that we avail ourselves of the power possessed by the One who presides over the human condition. We have many examples spelled out for us where God has intervened when fervent prayer was offered. Abraham changed God’s mind with a conversation. King Hezekiah had 15 years added to his life after crying out to God. When we feel powerless to do anything but offer thoughts and prayers, we need to step into the fact that these prayers are the most powerful thing we can offer. May I be so bold as to suggest how we might pray?

Jesus said, “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”. Pray for the victims and the families in these situations. They are mourning a loss of life, dignity, etc. Ask the Father to bless those who mourn and to comfort them.

The writer of Proverbs said, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will”. Pray that God will turn the hearts of our government leaders to make the necessary changes to protect lives.

Pray for leaders in all organizations; government, business, church, school, every organization. Pray that they will lead not with a grip on power but by taking up the mantel of servanthood.

Finally, take stock of your own character. Pray a prayer of confession and repentance, and commit yourself to taking actions that reflect those you desire from others. Then trust and hope in God.