I share the hopes of the Psalmist.

I am brokenhearted over the horrific tragedy that happened Monday morning in Tennessee.

Four of our elementary and middle-school aged GRANDS attend a small Christian school, a very similar school to Covenant. I am a member of a PCA church. I taught third grade, my classroom full of nine year olds. Shouldn’t school be a safe place for children?

But this is not about me.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus also experienced agony, the agony of his soon to be crucifixion. “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly;” Luke 22:44

How in my agony can I pray more earnestly?

I adapted this prayer shared in byfaithonline on March 28, 2023. byFaith is a publication of the Presbyterian Church in America. It helped shape my prayers as I’ve poured out my heart in agony this week. Perhaps it will help you as well.

Oh God, be Merciful,

Our culture, our nation is in a downward spiral of moral decay. Moral values have disappeared from our nation. Lord have mercy. The apostle Paul instructs, “abhor what is evil.” Romans 12:9

‘You have fed us with the bread of tears and given us tears to drink in full measure.’

Our hearts are broken for the families of the six people whose lives were taken in an expression of evil at Covenant Presbyterian Church Academy. Abhor what is evil.

We ask that you will be merciful. Pour out grace we can’t comprehend on those who bear pain we can’t imagine. We have no words to do what only your Spirit can provide. God, be merciful.

For the families of the three children whose lives have been cut short, Lord be merciful.

For the families of the three adults whose lives were taken, Lord be merciful.

For those injured in the attack, Lord be merciful.

For the entire school, Covenant Presbyterian Academy, the students, the faculty, their chaplain, the administration, Father be merciful.

For the Covenant Presbyterian Church community, the members, the pastors, the staff, God be merciful.

For the area churches and pastors, for the professional counselors throughout Nashville, all who are reaching out in love, God be merciful.

For the family of the shooter, Lord be merciful.

For the life of the church in the world, for the hope of the world, God be merciful.

Though we live in the promise of what will one day be, when all sorrow, sadness, weeping and death will be no more, right now we are devastated. Lord be merciful. Amen.

“Weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:15