With all of the school shootings that have been going on around the country, this was a very sad but much needed conversation that I had to have with my children. What a sad world we are living in when the hard topic isn’t “the birds and the bees” any longer but, instead, are shootings that are taking place!

This conversation was prompted by a school shooting that took place over the weekend that was extremely too close for comfort. You always hear of things happening to other people and in places far away, but not here. Now it IS here, and the reality is a harsh one when it involves people you know and love in a nearby community. While I did not know the victim personally, several of my friends did and were completely devastated by what took place. I know of a young lady that resides in a dorm on campus, and the reality that it could have been her … or any one of us walking in a mall or trying to enjoy a night out at a movie theater … has us asking what is this world coming to? We need Jesus more than ever before!

Would you please join me in praying for our nation? We desperately need it, and the more prayers going up, the better!

Please pray for protection over our precious children. They should not have to live in fear or be fearful of even going to school. Regardless as to whether they are 5 or 95, they will ALWAYS be our children. We will worry over them and their safety. We will pray for protection from all harm. They are OUR children, and we love them with all of our heart!

Pray for your family and your friends. Pray for their protection as well as that of your own.

Pray for people that are hurting and suffering in this world. Pray for those that have lost their grip on reality and feel there is no other way but to resort to things of this nature. How truly, incredibly sad for someone to resort to something like this to be seen or heard or to make a point. Or maybe they felt ignored, neglected, abused, taken for granted, taken advantage of, or they just felt anger. I don’t know what would cause a person to snap like this. There’s no rhyme or reason for any of this at all. There is no understanding why. There is just a lot of sadness, devastation, tears, and emotionally crippled people walking around afterwards trying to put their lives back together after such tragedies.

Pray for understanding for those that feel so incredibly misunderstood. Pray for healing for those that are afflicted and going through something whether it’s mental, emotional, or physical turmoil. Pray for God to wrap them in His love and comfort as only He can. Pray that God will allow peace in their hearts, minds, and lives so that no more of this ever occurs again.

Pray for protection and shelter, to be shielded and for God to place a hedge of protection over us and our entire family.

Get down on your knees and thank GOD for the protection He has already provided. Praise His name for keeping His strong and mighty hand on us.

Pray one for another. Pray for any one that might have wronged you or that you may have wronged. Pray for forgiveness to cover us like a warm blanket on a cold Winter’s night. God’s love can heal. God’s love can change this cold, hard world.

Hold your loved ones close and thank God for the gift of another day spent with them. Then help reassure the little children, and offer your best advice to them. Hold them in your arms and calm their fears much like our Heavenly Father does for us all that will come to Him. As a child climbs into our laps and lays their heads on our shoulders as we rock them, soothing and calming them, as we sing a lullaby … God is waiting to do the same for us if we’ll just turn to Him. He’s waiting with outstretched arms.

Pray for our nation … and for our children …

Pray.