FAITH MATTERS

Every term, as a school, we hold an emergency drill. So far this year we have practiced evacuating the school in the event of a fire and locking down in case of an intruder. I am grateful that I don’t need to lead our students through an “active shooter drill”. Our students have never had to practice finding cupboards to hide in or setting up tables as barricades. Our teachers don’t need to keep hammers in their desks to break open windows that won’t open, so the students can escape to safety.

Our prayers and thoughts today are for the Robb Elementary school, Uvalde children, teachers, parents, siblings, families and community members that will be forever scarred by another shooting in a school in America.

I am grateful that our country is not at war, that our women and children haven’t run from their homes to the safety of neighbouring countries and our fathers and sons are not forced to fight for our freedom.

Our prayers remain with the countries where people live in constant conflict at this time, in particular, the Ukrainian people.

God of peace and justice,

We pray for the people of Uvalde and Ukraine today.

We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.

We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,

that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.

We pray for those with power over war or peace,

for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.

Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,

that you would hold and protect them.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen