When I get in the car
And shift into reverse
Back out to the driveway
A habit I’ll rehearse.
It’s almost automatic
“Lord, keep us safe,” I pray
That prayer becomes more meaningful
With every passing day.
‘Cause you could be at school
Or picking produce at the store
You may be buying stamps
Or resting on the porch.
You might be at the office
Or watching a parade
Or singing hymns at church
On any given day.
Then a crazy with a gun
And a plan intent to kill
Opens fire on innocents
And causes blood to spill.
My heart is weeping, Jesus!
Three little kids attacked
Three grownups went to work
Six never will come back.
Nashville is in mourning
Parents crushed and grieving
Children traumatized
Shell-shocked spouses seething
Cracked right down the middle
Their world is torn asunder
Families ripped apart
Will mine be next? I wonder.
I refuse to live in fear
Neither have I confidence
So I plead my fervent prayer
Closed eyes, raw heart, knees bent:
Lord, as I venture out this day,
Keep drive-by shooters from my way.
Protect me from the bitter wrath
Of some gun-wielding psychopath.
Keep our children safe today
Help them learn the peaceful way
May pain and trauma meet with healing
Let Love abound in me, revealing
That GOOD, not evil will prevail.
Lord, heal our hearts. May we inhale
A whiff of hope and inspiration.
Heal our sin-sick violent nation.
And let that peace begin with me
It’s hard to love my enemy.
But hate breeds hate and I refuse
To let that poison be my food.
Give me grace, God, to forgive
And one more day, Lord
Let me live.
Copyright 2023 by Kate Carpenter
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