July 13, 2024
Colleyville Family,
By now, I’m sure that all of you have seen the news of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump as he spoke at a political rally in Pennsylvania today.
Needless to say, this is a significant moment in our nation’s history. It brings to mind the assassination attempt made against President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and the assassinations of President John Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy in the 1960s.
A few brief thoughts as we all seek to process this event together.
First, let us thank God that Donald Trump’s life was protected today. The assassination of a former president and a current presidential candidate would have been a devastating blow to our nation. We should be grateful for God’s mercy that this heinous act did not result in former President Trump’s death.
Second, we must disavow and condemn this act of violence, and all actions like it. This assassination attempt was evil, and against God’s law. We must decry it and reject any sympathy for actions like this.
Third, we must grieve the murder of an innocent bystander, and pray for the other two persons who were seriously injured, as well as any others affected by this shooting, including former President Trump and his family. What a terrible tragedy that will now mark the lives of those killed, injured, or traumatized by this horrible act of violence, along with their families. We must pray for the Lord to comfort and care for them.
Fourth, we should pray for our nation in light of this tragedy. May God have mercy on us. May God protect the life of former President Trump as well as that of President Biden. May there be no further actions of political violence as we go through this current election cycle. May all those in political authority in our nation as well as those seeking political authority denounce unlawful violence of all kinds.
Here is a prayer that you might pray for our nation in response to this situation:
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Much love,
Pastor Josh
