Latest / HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN® / Prayer in the Darkness: Faith After the Minnesota Church Shooting Part I

Transcript

Prayer in the Darkness: Faith After the Minnesota Church Shooting Part I · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

• 0:00
  Welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. Today's episode is going to be a little
• 0:04
  different. It's going to be heavy. It's going to be heartfelt.
• 0:08
  But it's also going to be hopeful. I want to talk to you about the power of prayer.
• 0:13
  And then I want to address the tragic events in Minnesota where two children
• 0:18
  lost their lives in a senseless act of violence.
• 0:22
  So let's begin. You know, prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has given
• 0:27
  us. in Romans chapter 12 verses 12.
• 0:30
  It reminds us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
• 0:37
  Prayer keeps us grounded.
• 0:39
  Prayer is how we stay connected to God. And in the middle of the joy and in the middle of chaos.
• 0:46
  Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 through 7 says, Do not be anxious about anything,
• 0:51
  but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.
• 0:56
  Let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God,
• 1:00
  which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.
• 1:05
  It's the beautiful, the peace of God, guarding our hearts. That's what prayer does.
• 1:12
  It keeps it simple, prayer without ceasing.
• 1:16
  That means prayer isn't something we save for bedtime or church.
• 1:20
  It's constant conversation.
• 1:22
  It's faith in action. It's saying, God, I need you. God, I trust you.
• 1:28
  God, I know you're listening.
• 1:29
  And when the world feels out of control, prayer reminds us that God still is in control.
• 1:36
  Now let's talk about what happened in Minnesota.
• 1:39
  On August 27th, during the back-to-school
• 1:42
  mass at the Catholic Church in Minneapolis, a gunman opened fire.
• 1:47
  Two precious children, Fletcher Markhill and Harp Moisky were killed.
• 1:54
  18 others were injured. Children, parents, grandparents.
• 1:59
  I can't even imagine the pain of those families. Fletcher was only eight years old, full of energy.
• 2:06
  He loved fishing and sports.
• 2:09
  Harp was 10 years old, remembered for her laughter and kindness.
• 2:13
  Their lives were stolen far too soon. And yet, even in the middle of this horror,
• 2:19
  There were moments of faith.
• 2:21
  One of the injured children, a 13-year-old named Endry, was about to go into surgery.
• 2:27
  And do you know what he asked, his surgeon? He said, pray with me. Wow.
• 2:33
  Out of the mouths of children comes reminder that prayer is powerful,
• 2:37
  even in tragedy. God is still present.
• 2:41
  Friends, half-faith family, Jesus said in John chapter 13, verses 34, a.
• 2:49
  A new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you,
• 2:53
  so you must love one another.
• 2:56
  Violence is not the answer. Hate is not the answer.
• 3:01
  Love is the answer. In Matthew chapter 5 verses 9 it says, Blessed are the peacemakers,
• 3:08
  for they shall be whole children of God.
• 3:11
  And Psalms chapter 34 verse 18 reminds us, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
• 3:16
  and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
• 3:20
  If there ever was a time to remember those words, it's now.
• 3:25
  God is close to those families in Minnesota. God is close to every parent who's crying tonight.
• 3:30
  God is close to every child who is afraid.
• 3:33
  To the families who've lost loved ones, lost children.
• 3:38
  To the parents who feel like their hearts have been torn in two.
• 3:42
  Please hear me when I say this. You are not alone.
• 3:46
  God sees you. God loves you. God believes in you. And God is never going to leave your side.
• 3:53
  Your children will never be forgotten.
• 3:55
  Their names, Fletcher and Harper, will be spoken, remembered, and cherished.
• 4:02
  I know that words can't erase the pain, but I want to leave you with something encouraging.
• 4:08
  Let your faith be bigger than their fears. When the world feels out of control,
• 4:13
  let God's love be your constant.
• 4:16
  One of my favorites, God never wastes suffering.
• 4:20
  He uses it to deepen our faith, enlarge our compassion, and bring light into darkness.
• 4:27
  Yes, the pain is deep. Yes, the loss is unimaginable.
• 4:33
  But God is still God, and God still is good.
• 4:38
  So right now, I want to invite you, whenever, wherever you are,
• 4:43
  to pause with me and pray.
• 4:51
  Lord, we lift up the families in Minnesota. We pray to the family of Fletcher
• 4:56
  and Harpers and the loved ones for every child, every parent,
• 5:00
  every teacher, every survivor.
• 5:02
  We ask for healing bodies, but even more, Lord, healing of hearts.
• 5:08
  Bring peace that surpasses all understandings. Bring comfort that only you can provide.
• 5:14
  And Lord, help us to love one another as you have loved us. In Jesus' name we pray.
• 5:21
  Amen. Friends and family of Have Faith, Let It Begin, thank you for joining
• 5:26
  me today on this very special episode of Have Faith, Let It Begin.
• 5:29
  The world can be dark, but prayer is light.
• 5:33
  Jesus is our hope, and love, love is always the answer.
• 5:38
  Until next time, stay strong, stay faithful, and remember that you matter.
• 5:45
  And never forget, have faith, let it begin.
• 5:49
  Join us tomorrow for a two-part episode as Nick will be back and he will talk
• 5:55
  about his topic and it's entitled Good vs. Mayhem. See you tomorrow.