Heavenly Father,
We come before You with a heavy heart, seeking Your divine protection and mercy for all innocent Christians and others who are affected by senseless shootings and hateful gun crimes, particularly in San Diego, CA, and throughout the United States. Lord, Your Word in Psalm 91:4 assures us, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." We pray that You cover these innocent lives with Your protective wings and shield them from harm.
Lord, we also lift up those who are struggling with mental illness. We ask for Your healing touch upon their minds and hearts. Let them find peace and solace in You, Father. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Your Word says, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." We pray that those who are mentally ill may be filled with Your spirit of love and self-control, turning away from violence and finding the help they need.
Father, we implore You to bring comfort to the families and communities affected by these tragedies. Let Your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as promised in Philippians 4:7.
We trust in Your sovereignty and believe that You can turn hearts and minds towards peace and understanding. We pray for a long, successful life for all innocent people, living in the light of Your love and grace.
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.