Some thoughts on the Shootings in Aurora, Colorado

Sometimes when I pray about painful situations I don’t know what to say.  The situation is so overwhelming and the emotions are so raw that words fail me.  Maybe you can relate.  In moments like that I often take comfort in Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  (ESV)  The Holy Spirit prays on our behalf translating the pain in our hearts to prayers before the throne of God. 

As you know, just such a painful incident took place very early last Friday morning when a gunman entered a theater and opened fire shooting 71 people and killing 12 in Aurora, Colorado. 

My family and I were on vacation at a remote campground in northern Michigan when the shooting took place.  The first that I knew something was wrong was when I saw a Facebook post from our Youth Director, Jeff, encouraging people to pray.  He ended his post with these words, “Lord, have mercy.”  An excellent prayer for a time like this. 

As I’ve been reading the news stories, people have suggested all sorts of causes for this crime.  Some proclaim that this is another sad sign of the culture of violence fed by scenes of brutality is movies, video games, and other entertainments.  Others have stated that this is yet another symptom of too-easy access to guns and the problem with armed civilians.  Yet others have argued that the opposite is the case; that if more people had been armed in the theater those gathered there would have been able to defend themselves.  Most have questioned the motives and psyche of the shooter. 

Each of the above “causes” may or may not have pieces of the answers to the questions of how and why such a terrible thing could happen.  As Christians, though, we know there is a deeper cause.  We know that evil is real.  Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.”  (John 10:10)  In this scenario we see stolen futures, killed children and loved ones, and destroyed lives.  The devil/thief was at work through the shooter in that theater. 

The cold fact is there have been people of violence in our world since Cain killed Able.  Over the centuries names like Hitler, Pol Pot, Jack the Ripper, Vlad the Impaler, Caligula, and others have personified such evil to us.  Just yesterday my family and I stopped at the River Raisin Battlefield in Monroe, Michigan, where, during the War of 1812 the wounded Americans were massacred despite a promise of safety. 

No, man’s violence on his fellow-man is nothing new in our world. 

Tragedies like this highlight for us that we are not home yet.  Because of this it is all the more important that we live as people of hope sharing the love of Jesus where and when we can.  None of us knows when our time on earth will be done.  Nor do we know when our friends who do not know Jesus will be at the end of their lives! 

The love and hope we have in Christ is the only thing that can change the heart of a man, woman, or child.  The cross and empty tomb are the only cure for the sin that breeds such violence in our world.  At times like this we gather to Christ and raise our prayers to God on behalf of those involved – even a simple eloquent prayer like, “Lord, have mercy!” 

This week I’m not going to offer any questions to ponder.  Instead, please take some time to pray.  Hopefully the following list will be helpful for you.

-         Pray for the survivors of the attack – for the healing of their bodies, minds and spirits. 

-         Pray for the families and friends who grieve the loss of their loved ones.

-         Pray for the shooter, James Holmes, that he might know the love of God and experience the life-transforming salvation Jesus gives through the cross. 

-         Pray for his family. 

-         Pray for the police, firemen, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and any other first responders who, in the process of trying to save lives, saw things no one should have to see.

-         Pray for justice. 

-         Pray for the end of fear.

-         Pray for the innocent, defenseless, victimized and abused who suffer at the hands of others. 

-         Pray for God’s people in Aurora that they might be able to show God’s love and peace to the people in their community. 

-         Pray that people would be turned from violence and that God’s peace would fill everyone’s hearts. 

-         Pray for Jesus to return and bring all violence, sorrow, pain, misery and death to an end. 

-         Pray that until Jesus returns we would be enabled to be His witnesses to reach one more with the Gospel.