How to Pray for Sandy Hook Elementary

From an article by Drew Thorwall at Reasons for Hope:

In response to the Newtown School Shootings, Drew Thorwall wrote this:

It is a time when we cling to Romans 8:26 and know that our prayers are lifted to God by the Holy Spirit Himself on behalf of the lives that are destroyed.

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)

We experience an intense mix of emotions from grief to anger. Righteous anger towards sinfulness in our world reflects the character of God, yet we remember that vengeance is the Lord’s (Romans 12:9), and our primary efforts are to love those who suffer with the love of Jesus Christ. That same verse says, “leave room for God’s wrath,” a startling reminder that while God is merciful, He is also just. He deals with sin in His infinite wisdom and righteousness. We know that He is still sovereign, and we know that He is love.
We find powerful guidance in how to pray in times like this in the Word of God.

• Psalm 77:1-20 — Asking God difficult questions when we pray in distress
• Psalm 5:1-12 — Prayer for God’s help and mercy
• Psalm 69:16-18 — Pray for mercy, and deliverance from enemies
• Psalm 46:1-11 — God is our refuge and strength
• I Peter 5:7 — Casting our burdens on the Lord who cares for us
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 — Praying to the God of all comfort

Pray for:

• Comfort for those who grieve over the loss of a precious little one. Parents, siblings, grandparents, families and friends.
• The teachers and other students in their emotional and physical recovery.
• The First Responders: police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics at the scene.
• The churches and counselors in the area who will respond to the spiritual needs.
• Wisdom of those in authority at the local, state, and national levels.
• That the God of all comfort will turn hearts to Himself.
• Pray for hope through Jesus Christ.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” (Revelation 21:2-4)