Prayer for Minneapolis

Another shooting in Minneapolis left an officer dead, 4 others injured.

My heart is heavy. I thought of our new friend. Mike and I had met her at Costco. She shared that her husband was a Minneapolis police man. She pulled him up on her phone so we could meet and thank him for his service. They both spoke encouraging words about their recent experiences in the city. These last years have been tough for the city. I was encouraged by their optimism.

But now, I realize that fear, sadness and grief had likely haunted the police department and community, after losing one of their own.

I texted my new friend. I promised to pray. That’s NOT an empty, shallow thing. Prayer. It’s bringing the tragedy, the present day evils, the injustices before an Almighty God. A God who defends the widows and the orphans. A God who invites us into a place where His presence abides and His promises are yes and amen!

So, today I offer up this prayer, taken from Psalms 91. Feel free to join me as we invite the Most High God into this community, and into Minnesota.

Dear Lord, who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty. You are our refuge and strength. Our God, in whom we trust.

Deliver us from the snare of the enemy. And from the deadly pestilence.

Cover us with your pinions. Let us find refuge in you. May your faithfulness be our shield and buckler.

Let us not fear the arrow that flies by night; nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness. Or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you.

Lord, your Word says that when we make you, the Most High, our habitation, no evil shall befall us or come near our dwelling place.

You promise to give your angels charge of us. To guard us and bear us up.

You say when we cleave to you, you will deliver and protect us. We call upon you, right now, for the officer, and his family. For the others injured and their family. We lift up friends, coworkers, loved ones. We pray for the city and surrounding cities and our good State of Minnesota.

Be with us in the day of trouble. Rescue and honor our men and women in law enforcement. Satisfy the hearts and reveal your salvation to your people of Minnesota.

According to your Word and in Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Minneapolis Police Department and Community, Families and loved ones, we remember you in our prayers.