Thoughts & Prayers

During times of tragedy these two words receive widespread use.  This week we acknowledged the one-year anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 people attending a concert.  I recall that a year ago on social media, lots of thoughts and prayers were shared. I also recall that there was great rebuttal - thoughts and prayers are not enough!  This week, seven Florence, SC police officers were shot while serving a warrant. One of the officers, a 30-year veteran, lost his life.  For this tragedy we offer thoughts and prayers.  

In my many conversations this week, I was given some overwhelming things to think about and my prayer list grew.  I have two friends with hospitalized children.  I have a friend suffering from cancer.  I lost a high school friend to cancer this week.  I’ve been following the story of Maddox Ritch, a 6 year-old who got lost at a nearby park and was later found dead in the creek.  There was a fire locally that claimed the life of a mother of five this week.  This is just the abbreviated list, there is more.  I truly am thinking and praying for all these people who are suffering. Honestly, though, sometimes I begin to think my thoughts are worthless and my prayers are insufficient.

In Joshua 10, Joshua and the Israelites are fighting the Amorites and Joshua thinks he can finish the battle if he has a few more hours of daylight.  Joshua is a righteous man who has a personal relationship with God.  In his bold faith, Joshua asks God to leave the sun and moon in their place for a little while longer.  Scripture tells us, “So the sun stood still and the moon stopped till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” (Joshua 10:13)  Joshua’s prayers were not insufficient. God supplied his need just as he asked.  God will answer our prayers, too.
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Our thoughts are not worthless and our prayers are not insufficient.  Through prayer we ask ask the most high God to intervene, there is nothing more powerful nor more sufficient.  I pray that God’s will be done. I pray that God give peace and comfort to the family of Maddox Ritch; to the Isom family who lost their mother; and to the family of fallen Officer Terrence Carraway; and to the family of my high school friend.  I ask that God heal the police officers injured in Florence. I ask that God shrink my friend’s tumor by way of a miracle that even her doctor will know He is Lord.  I ask that He heal my friends’ children that no sign of their ailment lingers. I ask all of these things in Jesus name and I believe these things will be done.  (John 14:14)  AMEN!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray:  “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Thank you for reading!
Have a blessed week!
​Kim

Copyright 2018 Kimberly Griffith Anderson