No doubt our nation was devastated to see the news of the Orlando massacre.

Thinking of the precious lives, deeply loved by God, who were senselessly killed, who can imagine?  Their families, their friends, their co-workers. The courageous police officers and SWAT team who came to the rescue and had to engage in a gunfight with the terrorist.  The hospital trauma surgeons and staff trying to heal the broken bodies.  The law enforcement who have to deal with the aftermath.

Back when we lived in Colorado I was a chaplain for the police department.  On occasions I would do ride alongs with the officers. Often they would open up about the trauma of having to process the painful events they saw.   We truly can’t even begin to imagine.

Sunday Graham and Savannah came over for lunch.  We were talking about it all and our hearts were grieving about such horrific events.

So what should our response be?

On Sunday in Orlando long lines formed to give blood (Go citizens of Orlando)!!  And so beautifully, a Chick-fil-A nearby saw the long lines and although normally closed on Sunday (so their employees can attend church and spend time with their families) the Chick-fil-A flipped on their lights and began serving those waiting in the long lines.  They served chicken sandwiches, nuggets and sweet tea to those waiting to donate blood.

As most remember, back in 2012 Chick-fil-A was bullied when its CEO made statements in support of traditional marriage.

Yet Sunday, they quietly opened and served those waiting to give blood.  They served a lot of law enforcement too.  They didn’t want recognition.  They did it because their number one corporate priority is this – “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that was entrusted to us.  To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”   

Chick-fil-A declined comment about the stores being opened on Sunday and freely serving their community, but they did say they were just thankful to be part of many organizations serving during this terrible time.

Which brings me to this:  Friends, if we say we love God and we sit back, watch horrific events unfold and do nothing, our faith is empty.  

It might be easy to think, “Well I don’t live in Orlando, this doesn’t affect me.”   Oh how wrong that thought is!!  For one, it was Orlando this past Sunday…it could be your city or my city next!

It reminds me of this scripture in James 2:14-26.

^14.  What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good^[a] is that? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called afriend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

So what can we do sitting in all different parts of the world?

Obviously, we can pray!  We can fast as well!!  And yes, we will have a corporate day of prayer and fasting this Thursday, June 16th, 2016.

Here’s some things we will ask God for:

1. Healing for the 53 injured.

2. His incomparable comfort to minister to all the families and friends involved.

3. Healing of the trauma for all who were present.

4. Healing for the SWAT Team, law enforcement, . (The trauma is real for them as well!)

5. Comfort for the surgeons, trauma surgeons, medical teams who have cared and are caring for those injured.

6. God’s comfort to minister to all those involved.

7. Wisdom for those who look for terror threats.

8.  For hearts to be turned to Christ at this terrible time.

What else can we do?

Donate blood or plasma!!  Whether you live in Orlando or not, this is a tangible way to do something!  And as I said before, your city may someday need a large supply!!

Which reminds me of this verse in Luke 6:31  – “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” 

This is actually where the rubber hits the road.  If we say we love God, that’s great, but if we really love Him, His love compels us to action!!  Fasting, praying and tangibly making a difference.

Would you join me for praying and fasting this Thursday?

On a very personal note….maybe you saw on national news a 34 year old man was killed over the week-end in a fluke hot air balloon accident in New York?  This was the son-in-love of friends of ours.  We have known these friends since before we were married.  Ryan (who was killed) was a teacher and had a powerful relationship with Christ.  Sarah (his widow) and their family would love to see many of his students come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as a result.  Would you include them in your prayer?  That would comfort them and that Jesus would use this tragedy for His kingdom purposes.