In the wake of this past week's events, many of us are feeling a lot of emotions. It's a tragedy when a person—a father, a husband—loses their life so brutally and in public.

The news is filled with opinions and commentary, and it's easy to get lost in the noise. Rather than add to it, I want to pause and just offer a simple prayer for our nation and our world.

Please pray with me if you will:

Lord, my heart is heavy with the brokenness I feel for the world. I lament the violence and bloodshed that has become so normalized in our society. We've become so numb to it all, and I confess my own part in that. Please break my heart for what breaks yours, and give me a softened heart that weighs the injustice you hold.

I lift up every family and loved one grieving a loss from an act of violence, including Charlie Kirk, Melissa and Mark Hortman, the countless students and educators in our schools, to all those affected by conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond. Please grant them an extra measure of peace and comfort on this day.

Above all, I pray that people will come to know the love and grace available in Jesus Christ. The labels we attach to ourselves and our identities don’t matter to you. You don't care about how the world wants to define us or describe us. The only label that matters is “Beloved”—a name you've given to all who accept your son as Lord and Savior.

So Lord, please bring us back to you. I pray for a revival that transcends politics, laws, and leaders. We need a true revival in this land, one that starts in our hearts, not with human hands or wisdom. And for your servant, Lord, please give me the courage and conviction to speak truth in love.

May you breathe new life into this valley of dry bones. We are desperate for hope and healing. Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Amen.