“God! Please hurry to my rescue! GOD, come quickly to my side! Those who are out to get me—let them fall all over themselves. Those who relish my downfall—send them down a blind alley. Give them a taste of their own medicine, those gossips off clucking their tongues. Let those on the hunt for you sing and celebrate. Let all who love your saving way say over and over, “God is mighty!” But I’ve lost it. I’m wasted. God—quickly, quickly! Quick to my side, quick to my rescue! GOD, don’t lose a minute.” (Psalm 70, The Message Translation)

A prayer for those victims of today’s bombings and their families:

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we reflect on the words of King David in a moment of despair and crisis. We pray that you would come quickly to the side of those who are injured, hurting, and desperately hanging on to life. We pray that you would come quickly to comfort those who are mourning the loss or serious injury of loved ones. We pray for the Doctors and Nursing staff that are working tirelessly to mend the broken and bring comfort to those in need. We pray that you would guide  the surgeon’s hands as they use their gifts for your glory. We pray that you would be with those rescue workers and the men and women who are searching for those who committed this horrible act of violence.

Lord, would you be with our world. There is such a cloud of spiritual darkness and we need you now more than ever. Would you use your church to cause your light to shine in the darkness and remind us all that your light always wins. Would we, your church, be that light in this moment and forevermore. In Jesus’s name, Amen.