March 31, 2014
7:55 PM pst

Our Most Merciful Lord, The past few days have been extremely difficult on the men and women of the New Bern and Johnson City Police Departments having seen three officers shot of which two lost their lives.  Lord, the entire law enforcement community joins with these agencies and their co-workers in mourning the tragic loss of these fine law enforcement officers.  As great at the pain is for the officers, nothing can compare to the loss their families are experiencing.  We know that it is only Your grace, peace, mercy and unending love that can be the sustaining force to carry them through these very difficult days.  Lord, we are reminded that You will always be a Strong Tower for anyone who seeks Your peace and comfort.  So Lord, may Your Grace gently descend upon the men and women of the New Bern and Johnson City Police Departments.  May every officer, co-worker, friend and family member sense Your sweet presence at all times and may they inwardly sense Your grace carrying them.  May You continue to be their protection and strength in the months ahead.   May every officer know they can always call upon You who is worthy to be praised.  May they know You will always hear their cry for mercy.  May You be their Rock, their Fortress and their Deliver because You are Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Our everlasting Father and our Prince of Peace.  May Your Holy Spirit touch the hearts, minds and souls of every officer and family member.  May You grant extra strength to the men and women of the New Bern and Johnson City Police Departments as they go forth as Your representatives to protect and serve the public.  Lord we also ask for Your continued healing touch to be upon Officer Wester as he recovers from his injuries.   And as we know these incidents will have a permanent long-term emotional affect upon the many officers who were closely involved, we ask that You would protect their hearts and minds with Your endless mercy and grace.  Lastly Lord, we come in deep earnest before Your throne of Grace and ask for Your continued protection to be upon every law enforcement officer across the U.S. and the world as we are seeing so many attacks upon Your servants.  May Your Holy Spirit remind every officer to remember their training and experience and to be extra cautious in any situation, no matter how minor it may seen.  And in the coming days as these agencies must now prepare to say farewell to these fallen servants, may You raise up Godly officers, chaplains and friends to point every officer to the Cross.  May many, many officers come to know Your love and forgiveness found only in Your Son and may many invite You into their hearts.  This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

News Links:
http://www.wnct.com/story/25106731/suspect-dead-two-officers-injured-in-new-bern-shooting
and
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/03/johnson_city_officer_killed_with_his_own_weapon.html