A Prayer after the School Shooting in Parkland, Florida

How long, Lord?
Must we endure the slaughter of our children another day?
Evil men invade our schools, our churches,
Your churches,
and yet they continue.
Nothing changes. They never stop.
In the mourning of the slaughter we await news of the next massacre.
Many offer tired answers which do nothing to change the hatred buried in our hearts,
their answers do nothing to transform perverse minds,
who find joy in shedding the blood of our children and your people.
Do not hold past sins against us;
let Your compassion come to us quickly,
for we have become weak.
God of our salvation, help us-- for the glory of Your name.
Deliver us and atone for our sins, because of Your name.
Why should those who hate you ask “Where is their God?”
Before our eyes, let vengeance for the shed blood of Your servants be known among the nations.
Before our eyes, transform our selfish, greedy, and hateful hearts.
Before our eyes, give your comfort where there is no comfort to be found.
Before our eyes, bring your peace to a people who hate each other.
Let the groans of America reach You;
according to Your great power, preserve us.
We are dying.
Revive us, Lord.
Rescue us from death.
Restore us in the Name and the Power
of our great Lord and Savior.
Then we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,
will thank You forever;
we will declare Your praise to generation after generation.
 
In Jesus’s Name we beg.
Amen.

Inspired by Psalm 79. Italicized text indicates direct quotes.