Response to Paris

There is no way any of us could not have heard about the recent tragedy in Paris. When I heard about it, I felt frightened; what if terrorists come here? I thought about my family and felt deep grief for those in Paris and around the world who are now grieving the loss of family and friends. To lose someone you love in such a violent, hate-filled way just shows there is evil in this world. 

However; as I worked on completing my new book - Deeper In 4 Grandparents & Parents, Too! Praying the Scriptures for the Children You Love - Psalms Edition, God brought me to Psalms 91. It spoke to my heart, so I'm sharing it with you today. 

As you talk with your grandchildren/children about Paris, or other times when evil confronts us all, point them to Psalms 91 and make this your prayer . . . 

Dear God, on this day, I want to thank You for allowing me to live under Your protection; please keep me in Your shadow! I will say to You, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; You are my God and I trust You!” I thank You for spreading Your wings over me and for keeping me secure and I praise Your faithfulness, which is like a shield or a city wall about me! I rejoice in knowing I do not have to worry about dangers at night, or in the day, and I do not have to fear anything, because I know You, the LORD Most High, are my fortress! I run to You for safety. I choose to love You and I truly want to know Who You Are. Thank You for rescuing me and for keeping me safe! When I am in trouble I know I can call out to You and I thank You for answering me and for being there to protect me.

Please help my grandchildren/children live in Your shelter and find rest in Your shadow! As they go through this day, please remind them of the truth; You are their fortress, their place of safety, their God and so they can trust You. Please spread Your wings over them and keep them secure; it is my prayer their hearts will be filled with praise for Your faithfulness which is like a shield or a city wall about them. When the world seems frightening and they might worry about dangers at night, or in the day, please reassure them they do not have to worry or fear anything, because they know You, the LORD Most High, are their fortress! Please remind them they can run to You for safety. Throughout their lives, I pray they will choose to love You and want to know Who You Are. Please open their eyes and help them be able to see how You rescue them and keep them safe; I pray they will be quick to thank You for all You do for them. When they are in trouble please help them know they can call out to You and then thank You for answering and for being there to protect them. Thank You for Your great love for us; I love You, too! Amen!

The truth is, there is evil in this world. When it shows up in such a violent way and brings such grief to so many, it is frightening. But, thankfully, we do not have to be afraid. God is our God and we can trust Him. He is the One who we can run to for safety. We can call out to Him and know He will answer because He loves us.

This does not mean we will never experience grief, but when we do, we do not have to do so alone. God is with us. He will not leave us and this gives us security and peace and is the message for our grandchildren/children and our response to Paris.