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Ending Violence

How does the world end violence?

A couple of weeks ago I read about a crime that left me crying out to God:  vengeance, justice, mercy!

Two young teenage girls (cousins) 14 and 15 years old in rural India were gang raped and murdered.  These poor young girls, like so many living in poverty, had no indoor sanitation so they had to go into the fields to relieve themselves.  They were both found dead, after being brutally raped by a gang, each hanging side by side from a tree.

How precious were these lives in the eyes of God?  Infinitely precious!

How much must God grieve to see these crimes committed?  I can’t even imagine how much the heart of Jesus must suffer!

Do you know that it is estimated that half the population of India lives without indoor sanitation (no toilets)?  If you are a woman, imagine the fear of going off into the dark fields at night to relieve yourself?  WHY can’t the world organize to end this type of poverty?

Imagine living in a society that deems you to be inferior because of your gender or your caste?

Who committed these crimes?

THE FORCES OF EVIL ARE BEHIND THESE CRIMES!

What possesses men to rape women?  SATAN!

People that commit these crimes DO NOT KNOW GOD!

What can we do now to bring healing and justice?  WE MUST PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS!  We must pray for the victims and we must pray for the perpetrators of this violence.

We must pray not just with words but with lives that are dedicated to God.

“Holy Lord, my heart breaks for these victims and their families.  My heart also breaks for the perpetrators of these crimes and their families.  I read that there are mothers in India being quoted saying ‘better for my daughter to die young than to suffer a lifetime’.  Jesus they are losing hope!  Help them Lord to know that You are here to avenge, to bring justice, to bring peace, to end inequality.   Holy Lord have mercy on this suffering world!  Destroy the forces of evil so that they will no longer prey on the innocent and the vulnerable.  Bless us Jesus to organize to end the poverty that causes too many people to live without basic needs—food, water, sanitation, education.  You are the Saviour of World, Jesus, and we trust in You!  We unite in a humble prayer calling upon Your infinite power.  Please protect women against this horrible sexual violence!  Show us Your way Lord to create peace and justice as we hope in You to redeem the world and make us safe.  We love You Jesus!  Change the world!”