A Cry Rising

I hope my worship pastor doesn't mind my stealing his phrase, but as our special Sunday night worship experience came to a close last night and he was leading in prayer for the tragedy in Orlando, the words rang true upon being uttered. In both the morning service, and the special service last night, there was a recurring theme of what transpires from places of desperation.

What measures do we take?
What behavior do we exhibit?
What lengths will we travel?
What attitudes and beliefs will we communicate?

In desperate moments; in trying times that burden the soul... to who will we look and to where will we turn? In our personal lives; as a community mourns, the extraordinary unfolds  before our very eyes. And depending on how one responds, we outsiders look on with understanding of the moment or with frustration of the senseless-ness and absurdity of the moment.

In this life, we are all connected. One's moment of desperation may end up creating moments of desperation for others. Consider, as we did last night, the parents of those who lost their life in Orlando... perhaps there are parents who were already struggling with their kids who were a part of that community; and now those same parents are now facing the loss of their child. What was already a desperate moment is now even more difficult to endure; hope is gone because a life is gone. Or 50 of them, with 50-something more, potentially in the balance.

Elsewhere, statistics are, that 50 or so more pastors will leave the ministry today alone. As I type this, they are waking up to moments of desperation and making decisions that will impact... their families, their churches, their congregations, their communities. Who knows what they will do or say as burnout takes over and hearers of the news that they are walking from the ministry will suddenly be faced with decisions and circumstances that will consume their time for days, weeks and months to come.

Pray with me, this #seniorPastorMonday, for pastors (and obviously, the city of Orlando) as they experience these moments of desperation. May the cry that rises be one of focus and purpose, calling solely upon the name of Jesus Christ to come and to work the miraculous, in their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. Pray the Holy Spirit would come and comfort these and bring clarity of thought and soundness of mind, even in light of tragedy and difficulty; where understanding escapes our grasp. Pray God would accomplish the miraculous for His glory, as pastors and communities of people cry out, for the healing of this land that is so desperately needed; that can not be found in any other person, ideology, philosophy or faith than in the person of Jesus Christ. May the truth of His life shed light on the circumstances and challenges we face in life here on Earth; understanding that no matter what we go through, God is with us... waiting to accomplish His purpose for those who call upon His name. In desperate moments, may that be our first and only response.

We need you, oh God.
We raise our cry to you.
We ask you would hear these prayers.
Heal this land, as we seek your face.
We turn and return, our eyes to You alone.

- PNC

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