My Pastor’s pondering for October is different than what I have traditionally written to you in our monthly Claybanks United Methodist Church Newsletter.
My heart continues to be heavy as the violence in our country comes to us each and every day in many different informational forms. During 2025 in the United States, we have averaged almost one mass shooting per day. We have seen violence in our streets, in our homes, in our schools, in our universities, in our public gatherings and most recently in a church in Michigan.
Violent acts against each other have occurred so often that, we as individuals and as a society, have begun to normalize the actions and the hate that we perpetuate in each other.
When violence is perpetrated on someone, our first response is that we will hold people and situations in our prayers and thoughts. I believe as a follower of Christ, this is the place we must start. As New Testament people, we find in scripture that Christ talks about love for our sisters and brothers second only for our love for God. So often in Jesus’s life when he was confronted by a situation of hurt, anger and even violence he began by addressing the actions of others with thought and prayer. Then Jesus would act, realizing that thoughts and prayers bring us to a point where we can determine how we will respond in love and grace to mediate what we as children of God have brought upon each other.
I have recently found that yes, I will watch the news about what is happening in our Community, our country and our world, but I will no longer let what is happening repeat and repeat itself in front of me from the many forms of news. I have decided once I have been informed adequately, I will remove myself from social media and news channels for an appropriate period of time. In place of continued absorption of the news I am going to read scripture, pray and then begin to take action by writing and phoning those who have some power and authority and who have considerable influence in changing who we are as children of God, sisters and brothers, and citizens of our country.
During the month of October, I am going to pause and lift those who have been affected by the violence that is around us and pray this prayer written by Rick Warren, the author of “Forty Days of Purpose,” that was so influential for many a few years ago.
A Prayer for Healing
God Creator,
My heart is broken for the people who are hurting right now. For those who are grieving, for those who are afraid, for those who are angry, for those who are discouraged, and for those who are depressed.
We know that this is not the world that you planned. This is not the world that you want it to be. We have made such a mess of what you have created.
We have lived self-centered lives. We have fought with each other instead of fighting for each other. And we believe the worst about each other instead of believing the best about each other. Most of all, we have forgotten you.
Help us to remember that it was your decision and plan to create such diversity. You intentionally made us different in so many ways. Help us to
realize that to reject anyone you have created is to reject you, the Creator. And it is to doubt your wisdom.
Help us to be color-blessed, not colorblind. Help us to enjoy the differences that we are. And now, when we are all so distraught and upset, help us to repent in this crisis, and not react in this crisis.
Fill us with humanity and civility towards each other. And help us to overcome evil with good. And most of all, Lord, help us to look to you for the courage, strength, and wisdom to stop this madness.
Father, I ask you to comfort every broken heart, heal every grieving heart, calm every angry heart, and give your peace to every fearful heart.
We need a spiritual revival in our nation, Lord. We need it in the world. May you turn this breakdown into a breakthrough for our world. And I humbly ask you to bless everyone who is turning to you right now. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Each day after I pray this prayer, I will open up my Bible and search for not just comfort but guidance from scripture. I will leave with you a few scriptures here, sharing them in this writing beginning with Psalms 30: 2 “Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”
Jeremiah 33:6 Psalm 103:2-3
Deuteronomy 32:39 Isaiah 58:8
Exodus 15:26 Isaiah 38:16
Psalm 107:19-20 Mark 5:34
Matthew 10:1 Psalm 6:2
Proverbs 16:24 Psalm 34:18
John 14:27 Isaiah 33:2
Matthew 9:35 Proverbs 17:22
James 5:14 Psalm 146:8
Isaiah 41:10 Revelation 21:4
2 Kings 25:5 Jeremiah 17:14
Luke 6:19 Isaiah 57:18-19
Matthew 11:28 Jeremiah 30:17
Isaiah 40:29 Psalm 147:3
Live In Peace and Love,
Pastor Gary
Claybanks United Methodist Church 