Fighting the right battle…

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:10-12

On Friday, Dec. 14, the news of a school shooting was completely horrific and devastating.  So many questions unanswered, and faced with difficulty of what to do next.  For many it will be a time of grief and healing that needs to take place.  On the broader scale the challenge becomes how to handle this and prevent it from happening again.  The battle now focuses on the factors involved guns and mental illness.  However, guns do not cause this nor does mental illness.  Not everyone who owns a gun does things like that nor does every person who has a mental illness. The governor had it right when he said, “Evil visited this community today.”  Although guns and mental illness were factors in this, evil was the cause. 

The Monday after, of course it was on my mind but unspoken with my daughter.  Until I pulled in the school and there was a police car in the parking lot.  And the conversation began.  My daughter asked, “Mommy do you think he was bullied when he was a kid?”  Of course we have no clear answers, but I wonder if there was truth to that. There could have been emotional wounds from when he was a kid that Satan had rooted deeply in his being.  Without healing and the love of Jesus, Satan had his chance to reign.  The battle is against the evil forces. 

As Christmas is here, the birth of our Savior it is the remembrance that Jesus came to claim victory and conquer Satan. 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for sending Jesus our Savior and restoring us back to relationship with you.  Thank you for victory over evil through Jesus Christ.  I pray for the parents or families that lost children or loved ones.  I pray, Father, You comfort them at this time of grief in their lives.  I pray You would be their strength and guidance through the days to come.  I pray for the people You will place in their lives as comfort and support, to be Your hands of love reaching out to the families.  Lord I pray against the evil forces that they may be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy at this time.  I pray for the salvation of those that don’t know you.  I pray for the ones that do, that would draw nearer to you at this time.  In spite of the evil they are facing, I pray this Christmas for victory in their lives though Jesus.  May Your Presence protect them and bless them.  I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.