Have you prayed for Sutherland Springs?

Yesterday and last night I attended the annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As we began the first session, the president called for a special prayer for the church and the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. I was caught offguard and didn’t quite understand the context, but it was evident the person praying knew the pastor and pastor‘s family at the church. He also knew the church itself and its ministry.

I was amazed at the power of that prayer.

We prayed for Frank and Sherry Pomeroy. You will recall that this is the pastoral family of the church. You will also recall that this family lost their 14-year-old daughter in the shooting.

We prayed for Frank as he grieves and attempts to comfort his wife while also attempting to comfort and shepherd the church at Sutherland Springs.

As we prayed I couldn’t help but think at the magnitude of what his been placed on Frank Pomeroy.

How can he minister to his wife and to the families of 25 other victims? How can he minister to the 20 people who were injured? How can he appropriately grieve himself?

And, how can he do this all at one time?

As we prayed, I hurt and grieved for this man, his family, his church, and the people of his church and community.

As we prayed, we prayed for the special ministries that are being carried out by Baptists of Texas and other believers around the country to bless and encourage and help this church and community. The Southern Baptist Convention has offered to pay for the funerals of all those killed.

Yes, and we prayed for the shooter’s family. What terrible grief they must be going through.

Finally, we prayed that God would do His great work of making Himself known in the midst of unspeakable evil and unspeakable tragedy.

Sometimes words aren’t enough. Sometimes we simply have to sit in silence before God knowing that when we can’t form the words the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings which are too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

Have you prayed for Sutherland Springs?