Sentinel Watch May 7, 2012 Issue

In the wake of a shooting, how can we pray?

Melanie Ball

A version of this article originally appeared on csmonitor.com.

Courtesy photo

At this writing,   a lot of questions remain in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s death in Sanford, Florida. People are eager to discover what truly happened that night. But much of the discourse surrounding the event seems fraught with suspicion, tension, and fear. This and other violent incidents around the world—often prompted by emotional fervor, political unrest, or religious fundamentalism—can be met with prayer, but because of the emotionally charged atmosphere surrounding these “hot spots,” it can be difficult to know where to begin.

I’m comforted by something I’ve learned in my own experience: When divine Love leads, peace must follow. God’s love comforts grieving hearts and calms every situation. God, divine Love, has the power to reveal what is true and guide people to a just outcome. 

Let me share a brief illustration of how God’s love operates. Several years ago, while vacationing in Florida, I was just getting ready to settle down for a good night’s sleep after a dinner with my family when I felt intense pain and rigidity throughout my mid-section. The discomfort was so great that I could not sit or lie down, but paced the hotel room praying aloud. Although I knew in my heart that God was with me, the physical suffering was overwhelming.