Prayers and Tears for Charleston

The murder of nine people in a church, at a prayer meeting, is beyond our capability to understand.  People will try to categorize it, people will use it to push a political agenda, and people will try and provide some sense of explanation.  It is human nature to do so - to try and understand what in the world could have happened.

In a situation like this, there is no understanding.  Regardless of what gets bandied about, the bottom line to all if this is that it was conducted out of evil.  Pure, undiluted evil.

It seems lately that evil is having a heyday.  It appears to be winning, just about everywhere.  

Now, just about more than ever, is the time to put on the armor of God:

Ephesians 6:10-18 New International Version (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Pray for justice.  Pray for calm.  Pray for all the victims and their loved ones.  Pray for our country.

We're going to need it.