Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Today and every day going forward we will pray for those in the news and for those who need the love of Jesus in their hearts. If there is anyone you feel compelled to pray for in this blog, please email me at akersofracing@aol.com.

Certainly, yesterday and today are days for mourning. We mourn for the victims and the victims’ families involved in Wednesday’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in which 17 people were killed.

The incident marks yet another in a long line of senseless, devastating school shootings in this country. It should break the heart of every believer—if not every citizen—in the U.S. Thank God police apprehended the killer, only 19 years old.

Believe it or not, according to Reuters, it is the 18^th shooting in a U.S. school so far this year, which includes suicides and incidents when no one was injured. It doesn’t make sense, and this has to stop. Therefor we pray:

“Dear Father in Heaven, our hearts today are broken for the victims and the families of the victims of Wednesday’s school shooting in Florida. It is difficult to comfort the families who have lost loved ones. Parents are undoubtedly numb from having lost a child to such violence. But, we ask you now to wrap your arms around them and touch them in a way that only you can. Those of us who have never experienced anything like this cannot relate to them, but you can. Your heart is breaking wide open and You know their grief and their pain. Touch them in a mighty way and let them know that You are still on the throne and that they need now, more than ever, to put their trust in you. Open their hearts to You and turn them away from bitterness.

And right now, dear Lord, we ask that you transform the heart of Nikolas Cruz, the gunman. He seemingly has stored bitterness and hatred in his heart to commit such a heinous act. Let there be healing in his heart. He has determined his own life destiny and most likely will spend the rest of his life incarcerated. Take over his life and help him to find You because You are his only hope now. Be with him and transform his life. For too long, apparently, the enemy has ruled in his life. We proclaim this child, which You love, to be yours now. Bless him and help him to make the most of his life, no matter what happens.

And we pray now that these shootings cease, in the name of Jesus! Protect the children and students in every school across the United States and worldwide, in places where we don’t hear about these types of things. Help us to see how we can prevent these shootings, and touch the hearts of those who are thinking about committing such acts of violence. Holy Spirit, rule in their hearts and help them to see that life, that You created, is simply too precious to throw away.”

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jer. 22:3)

“… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, …” (Eph. 4:2)

“He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, and their blood will be precious in his sight.” (Psa. 72:14)