Uvalde, TX (English / Spanish)
Pray the News – June 5th, 2022
My late mother’s best friend when we lived in Toowoomba, Australia, Sara, went on to become the Principal at Robb Elementary School in the small town of Uvalde, Texas, where her husband Bill had grown up. Margy, you may remember we sent four prayer shawls to this precious family after Bill passed. Sara trained each of the teachers who were killed or injured in the recent tragedy there (An 18-year-old shot and killed 19 children and 2 teachers at a primary school there, and wounded 17 other people at the school plus his grandmother). As LVC has prayed for Sara, Maria, Glenn, and Leah before, I ask you to keep them in your prayers in this season, too. Will you please join me in praying this prayer written by Rubén Quintero (Pastor of La Viña del Valle Imperial).
Psalm 17:1-7 (NRSV) – “Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right. If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.”
Lord and God, You are righteous. Today, we come to You because You are our highest authority; You reign over the universe. What has happened in Uvalde, Texas, has left us heartbroken, and it is not the first time. Even without knowing the victims, thinking about their families and the terrible pain that community is going through, leaves us speechless.
Our systems have failed, as a society we have turned away from you, but have mercy on us, especially children and the innocent. Hear our lament, observe the cries of those who are in mourning and give them comfort. Embrace them with your peace.
The blood spilled on earth calls for justice. Jesus, You are a righteous king. We ask for your kingdom of justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit to come.
Psalm 11:7 – “For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.”
