For those who are grieving at the tragic shooting of 3 police officers in Rapid City Yesterday

PRAYER:  Dear Lord Jesus, in this fallen world, distinctive dangers await those whom You have called to be police officers and firefighters.  Wicked people challenge them, and evil circumstances await them; yet by Your call, they willingly serve and protect the public good and exercise Your providence among us.  Grant them safety and diligence in the performance of their duties.  Protect them from the various hazards and temptations particular to their vocations.  Create or sustain faith in You as their Savior among them, keeping them secure unto life everlasting.  AMEN.

WHERE WAS THE LORD?

A DEVOTION FROM PORTALS OF PRAYER-SPECIAL EDITION:WHERE IS GOD NOW?

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."-John 11:21

You can almost hear the accusing questions in Martha's words.  What she really was saying is, "Lord, why weren't You here?  What took You so long?  How could You let this happen?"  When we experience some sort of catastrophe or loss, those same questions can run through our minds too.  "Where were You, God?  Why didn't You stop this?" 

Jesus never answers Martha's questions.  Instead, He directs her to the truth of who He is.  "I AM the resurrection and the life".   Though we may not understand why things happen the way they do, the reality is that God is at work for us in Christ to rescue us and give us life and resurrection.  He labors for us, not simply to give temporary relief from earthly troubles, but to deliver us eternally from all evil.  Not even death can conquer the one who trusts Jesus. He says, "Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live."  Just as Jesus died and then rose again, so also will all who are baptized into Him.  First death, then resurrection--this is the Christian life.

Therefore, we live in hope and confidence, even in trying times.  Our Lord leads us through death into life!  Lord, help me to trust that in You there is life, even in the midst of death.  AMEN.

PRAYER:  LORD GOD, HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU HAVE SEARCHED US AND YOU KNOW US.  BEFORE A WORD IS ON OUR TONGUES, YOU KNOW IT COMPLETELY.  THANK YOU FOR GIVING US FAITH IN YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, AND MAKING US YOUR BAPTIZED CHILDREN.  PRESERVE US IN FAITH EVEN THOUGH SIN, SATAN, AND DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO TEAR IT FROM US.  THROUGH THE POWER OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, ROOT US ALWAYS IN YOUR HOLY WORD, THAT BY YOUR GRACE WE MAY KNOW AND TRUST OUR SAVIOR'S MERCY AND BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORSAKE ME OR LEAVE ME;  THROUGH THE SAME JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.  AMEN.

Thank you for reading, and God bless those who protect and serve us!