Our Gracious Lord, Once Again Lord, we are thankful for Your mercies in sparing the life of a Laurens County sheriff’s deputy who confronted an armed man.  We are thankful that his wounds were minor and are so thankful the suspect was later apprehended.  As this officer is being treated at a local hospital, may you grant the doctors wisdom to treat his wound and may he fully recover.  Even though his wound may be considered minor, we ask You Lord, to touch his heart, mind and spirit as this officer must endure the long-term emotional trauma often associated with life-threatening incidents like this.  May Your grace and mercies forever touch him.  May Your grace and peace also settle upon his co-workers who responded to his aid as some of them may also experience the same type of emotional trauma.  Lord, we ask for Your peace and grace to especially be upon the family of this wounded deputy and sustain them with Your unending love.  May every officer and family member be drawn to Your side where You will forever be their Refuge, Strength and Rock.  May Your mercies and peace also settle upon the many first responders, paramedics, nurses and doctors who were involved in this incident.  And if any are struggling spiritually or emotionally, may they be drawn to Your side where there is peace for You said, “Peace I leave you, My Peace I give you”.  May this life-threatening incident uopn this wounded deputy cause many co-workers with the Laurens County sheriff’s Department to be drawn ever so close to your Son this Christmas season to give thanks.  May many come to know You in a real and personal way, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.