Yesterday two bombs exploded near the finish line for the Boston Marathon. At first we heard two people were killed and twenty-three others injured. That number grew to three killed and over one hundred injured.

We still don’t know all the answers for this terrible act, but we do understand the evil behind it. Hopefully, we will learn more details very soon. In the meantime, we wonder whether this was domestic terrorism like Timothy McVeigh or Islamic extremists.

No matter who did this we need to respond in a way that honors our Lord.

Here are the ways I hope I respond.

First, we must pray for the healing for the wounded and the comfort for those who lost friends and family. The malicousness of setting a bomb makes this very hard to understatnd.

Second, we must pray for our nation. Our nation needs the salt and light of Christian people. This may be the most important time in our nation’s history. We seem to be divided and very much at odds. Only the Civil War could have been a more important time for churches and individual believers to step forward in faith. Our nation needs the healing that can only come from God.

Third, we need to pray for first responders. I watched yesterday as guardsmen and police offiders worked feverishly to take care of the wounded. I thank God for people who serve in these ways. Let us encourage and pray for these who serve us.

Years ago, I learned that police personnel in particular have very difficult jobs. Not only are their jobs dangerous, they are also filled with extreme stress. Such stress takes a heavy toll over a lifetime.

Fourth, we need to pray for our president and federal, state, and local officials in Massachusetts who will have to make important decisions. Please pray for your officials as well. These are people charged with helping us to lead “quiet and peaceable” lives “in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2).

Finally, we need to take the life-giving message of Christ to our communities and neighborhoods. Christ truly is our only hope.

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