ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this week. The mass murder of children and school officials in Newtown, CT at Sandy Hook Elementary School casts a somber shroud over our country. Such horrendous acts leave all of us in the Nation asking why and how.
Where Two or More Are Gathered
When the news broke about Sandy Hook and it was unimaginable. Children ages 6-10 and adults trying to protect them were gunned down. We all listened in shock and disbelief. We wait now for some answers but what will they bring?
In times of such tragedy we can feel quite shaken and helpless. I don’t know about you but when the news began to come out I simply could not grasp the enormity of the situation. I felt a deep sense of sorrow for those precious little children and the staff at Sandy Hook who endured the horror of that day. Some will never be with their families again.
We are all broken hearted for the children, families, friends and first responders as news updates continue to flood the airways. Numerous prayer chains are forming throughout this country, globally and across the internet. May all of our prayers join together to cover those affected in thought and prayer for peace and healing as they walk out this unfathomable nightmare.
There is Great Power in the Smallest Prayer!
There is surely evil afoot in our land. What can we as individuals do in the light of such atrocity? Pray. First and foremost pray for those affected by this tragedy…the families, friends and first responders. Their lives were shattered in an instant. Please keep them in your prayers in the coming days and months. Our lives go on but theirs are forever changed and they will need our prayer cover for a very long time.
If you do not already, pray mighty hedges of protection around your home, family, neighbors, town, county, state and country. Such prayer will not only establish a hedge of protection but it will also create a cover of unity. I purposed to do this before bed and in the morning before getting out of bed. In twenty one days this will become an empowering habit. This does not take much time but if you really put your heart into it (it is always a heart issue) not only will you change but so will all around you.
Prayer is Most Effective When Prayed
It is up to us to be faithful and consistent in our prayer. Jesus tells us clearly, “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 22:22) If we plant seeds of prayer with a clear heart for the place in which God has planted us we will see a harvest of change. I have seen transformation in my own little corner of the world since implementing the simple prayer intention cited above.
Our answers may not come overnight but we are assured that the answer will come in His will and in His perfect timing. We in Esther’s Warriors pray for revival and lasting reformation in our Nation. We pray for the youth. If you look at current circumstances across our country positive change could look quite unlikely. But God is faithful. We must be faithful also.
When we pray beyond our personal circumstances we can affect nations! Our faithfulness to pray without ceasing will be effective to the tearing down of strongholds across this country. We must be faithful and consistent in our prayer. We can no longer afford to be lukewarm Christians in this country. Our future depends on us diligently seeking the Lord for our United States of America that He would hear from heaven and heal our land.
BE the Light
Take time to hug your family a little tighter and let them know the blessing they are to you. With all the annoyances that may be within any family there is also a bond that is precious. If you do not have your natural family, God has placed others in your life. Let them know how much you appreciate them.
We are to be the light and bring His light. In this week of heaviness let us shine all the brighter. Let us be the light needed in the darkest places. Let us be the light needed to heal shattered hearts. As followers of Jesus we are to co-labor with Him to bring His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Now is surely the time to step into our calling!
Take a Moment
Following are the names and ages of those murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please read their names and take some time to pray for their families and friends who will never again hear their voices or see their smiles: Charlotte Bacon, 6; Daniel Barden, 7; Rachel Davino, 29; Olivia Engel, 6; Josephine Gay, 7; Ana Marquez-Greene, 6; Dylan Hockley, 6; Dawn Hocksprung, 47; Madeline Hsu, 6; Catherine Hubbard, 6; Chase Kowalski, 7; Jesse Lewis, 6; James Mattioli, 6; Grace McDonnell, 7; Anne Marie Murphy, 52; Emilie Parker, 6; Jack Pinto, 6; Noah Pozner, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Lauren Russeau, 30; Mary Sherlach, 56; Victoria Soto, 27; Benjamin Wheeler, 6; Allison Wyatt, 6
A Prayer Request and Personal Blessing
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country on foreign soil, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families.
May God richly bless you and keep you and yours safe under the shelter of His wings. May God hold all in Connecticut under the shadow of His wings. May His grace enfold each and every broken heart in that place. Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe. May we may arise united in this auspicious season in our country’s history.