Last week was a very strange and hard week for those in the United States. Two brothers set off bombs at the Boston Marathon, a plant exploded in Texas and ricin-laced letters were sent to multiple people including the president. Many people are living this week in a different mindset than they did last week. Likewise, some are dead this week that died earlier than expected. It was unsettling to imagine an evil so strong that it would desire for others to be killed.
As I was glued to the television last week, I wondered if they would catch those who placed the bombs. During the week I prayed there would be no more bombs and for the safety of the police officers. I prayed the guys would turn themselves in and not be able to hurt anymore people. Friday night came, one brother was dead, but Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was still alive and hiding in a boat.
It was burger night at our house and it was time to flip the burgers on the grill. As I walked out I overheard more shooting on the TV. “Please Lord,” I prayed, “please provide safety and protection for the police officers and neighbors in the surrounding houses.” I was very passionate in my pleas. Suddenly there was a small voice that said, “Pray for his soul.”
Wow! I hadn’t even thought about Dzhokhar’s soul. Why wouldn’t I have thought about that? I suddenly began pleading that his life would be spared long enough for him to meet Jesus as His personal Savior. I prayed for the evil desires to be taken from his heart and mind. I prayed he would cooperate with the officers and not hurt them. His life, at this point, has been spared; though, I am still sickened by the effects of evil in our world.
Would you join me in praying for evil to be replaced with love? Pray that Jesus will be the focus of people’s lives and not evil intent. Pray for the souls around you. Who do you need to pray for today?
© 2013 Susan M. Sims
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net / Gualberto107
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