Paula White Cain, Other Pastors Offer Spirit-Filled Response to Horrific Shootings in El Paso, Dayton
The nation continues to grieve over the 29 victims who died in mass shootings over the weekend in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. In response, Spirit-filled pastors and leaders like Paula White Cain, Dutch Sheets and Rod Parsley offered their heartfelt prayers and wisdom.
We send prayers for the families and friends of this horrific act of violence and to the community of El Paso. May God wrap His arms of love around you all and hold you tight. #PrayForElPaso #ElPaso pic.twitter.com/QWhRTjGm08
— Paula White-Cain (@Paula_White) August 4, 2019
We have loved ones there who are safe, but so many families are hurting today. We join our prayers with yours for healing and restoration to come to this beautiful city.
.#elp #prayforelpaso pic.twitter.com/AzNKDgazKU— Dutch Sheets (@dutchsheets) August 4, 2019
We’re deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred n El Paso, TX! As humanity, when 1 hurts, we all hurt. We’re for our Lord’s comforting Spirit 2b released over the many families of the victims of the senseless and heartless act that took place just hours ago. #PrayForElPaso pic.twitter.com/TMf0g8o0Vm
— Dr. Cindy Trimm (@cindytrimm) August 4, 2019
Another shooting.
I’m devastated for the victims, families, responders, and all affected.
This needs to stop. Join me in praying for unity and wisdom for elected officials to not politicize these events – but work toward solutions to make us safe. #PrayForElPaso
— Nick Hall (@NickHall) August 4, 2019
#PrayForElPaso pic.twitter.com/KolMUo9Df3
— for KING & COUNTRY (@4kingandcountry) August 4, 2019
Praying for all those affected by the terrible tragedy in El Paso, Texas. May the God of all peace bring comfort in these times of chaos and confusion.
—#2Thessalonians3v16 #PrayForElPaso— Rod Parsley (@RealRodParsley) August 3, 2019
Today represents a new low in the media and our culture.
People on the left rejoicing that the El Paso shooter was a white nationalist while those on the right gleefully celebrating the Dayton shooter was a leftist liberal.
We are a sick society in need of drastic reformation.
— Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) August 5, 2019
Franklin Graham also took to Twitter and said God was America’s only hope in the face of such a tragedy:
As we mourn with these families & communities, let’s continue to sincerely lift them up in prayer before the Lord. He is the only one who can comfort & wholly heal their broken hearts. #ElPaso #Dayton 3/3
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 5, 2019
Dr. Michael Brown said the U.S. must take this opportunity to completely renounce white supremacy.
“My vision for a God-honoring, largely Christian America has nothing to do with color or race,” he says. “As such, it is the opposite of a white nationalist vision. As a Caucasian follower of Jesus, I would rather live in a God-honoring America that was 90% black or Asian or Latino than in a God-mocking nation that was 90% white. In a heartbeat!
“White nationalism is based on hatred and prejudice and bigotry. That’s why it also hates Jews as much as people of color. It is based on the unbiblical notion of white supremacy and on the unpatriotic notion of American whiteness.”
American Family Association President Tim Wildmon followed suit, issuing the following statement:
The American Family Association condemns white supremacy, all manner of racial animus and hatred of any kind that may have been the impetus for the attacks in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. We also recognize the deep and vast spiritual needs of our country. Our nation needs God desperately, which is more evident every day. The more our nation turns away from God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, the more it seems we reject the reality that innocent human life is sacred. We call on AFA friends and supporters around the nation to join us in praying for the devastated families and communities affected in El Paso and Dayton.
Sam Rohrer, president of the American Pastors Association, warned the nation that anarchy was inevitable unless people repented nation-wide:
Once again, violence and wanton murder has plagued our land—just another reminder of the reality of sin and evil, and a predictable result of a culture that rejects God and the Bible and a healthy fear of God. Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones in this weekend’s carnage. Our prayers for healing of those injured are serious and genuine.
What will our nation learn and will our leaders respond is the question. Nothing short of repentance toward God, and grief over our individual and national sin of idolatry and self-will by our leaders in office, in the pulpit and as citizens generally can stop the slide into anarchy. God’s judgment against sin and evil is only surpassed by His grace and mercy when people repent. We pray for a return to God, not a demand for greater government or less freedom.
Doug Stringer, president of Somebody Cares International, said:
Our hearts grieve for all the families and victims affected by the atrocious, murderous and senseless acts that took place in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. We join with many in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
There are many factors that have incubated and manifested such human depravity in our culture today. There is no doubt there are ugly and dark unseen forces and a spiritual battle being raged. Our hope is in the Lord, and our responsibility as the Church is to be a tangible expression of God’s comfort, healing and hope in the midst of all the suffering. JESUS said in Luke 21:13, “But it shall (should) be an occasion for your testimony.” Rather than being caught up in the fray of personal opinions, bantering and fodder, may we remember to be sensitive, and be Christ-like examples in the midst of all the heartache, pain and suffering.
