“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Several days in September reminded Memphis and the world that evil does exist. We were distraught, scared, fearful, sad, and angry. We questioned God. We wanted answers. We still want answers.

We wondered if life could be normal again. We wondered if our wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters were ever safe. We wondered if a trip on 240 or a brief errand to Autozone would be where we met our death.

In the aftermath though, light pierced the darkness. I saw it at my children’s schools, St. Mary’s and Christ Methodist Day School, where families came together to lift up and support each other. I saw it in the thousands of runners and more supporters lining streets in defiance and catharsis, each stride offering a little more hope. I saw it in emails circulating about our justice system and how the community can be involved. I saw it in concerned citizens attending meetings and organizing to beat back and defeat the evil of this fallen world that has tried to take up residence in our neighborhoods. I saw it in increased funding for the State Crime Lab.

We are not healed. The wound is there. The grief is there. The absence of our friends and family is there. We are scarred, but with the light, we are not scared.

Father, You are that light. You pierce darkness. You reveal the true nature of what’s around us. Lord, we see this world’s brokenness and we ask that your healing power come into it. We lift up those grieving the death of loved ones, that you continue to surround and embrace those in mourning with love and encouragement. We pray for Memphis and all those places where darkness seems to be winning, in neighborhoods or in the hearts of lost men and women. Lord, shine your light. Raise up a people, Your children, to love our neighbors in ways that draw them to You. Tonight, we ask that the Hope that shines forth from your glory is present in our lives.

Lord, we lift up the court system and law enforcement in holding evil accountable. We pray that sin is vanquished. We pray that you intercede to prevent two lives from being destroyed by a bad decision. Stop the trigger from being pulled. Unclench the fists. Bless the work of those bringing light to the darkness. Amen.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:13 -17

I’m reminding myself on election eve that we are to serve God, not men, yet we are to respect the positions of authority. It’s hard. Look around. We argue over politics all of the time. Division in this country comes in part from making our politics our identity. That’s not what God tells us. We aren’t liberal or conservative, we are His children.

The following verse in Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise by The Avett Brothers is one of my favorites because it reminds me of this truth.

“When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it”

You are loved by the Creator and He will never reject you.

Lord, we pray for those running for elected office tomorrow, that their intentions are God-serving and not self-serving, that they seek the best for their constituents, and that they are grounded by the love and knowledge of Christ. We pray for the Shelby County Poll workers and are thankful for the volunteers putting in the hours to ensure free and fair elections. We pray for the Shelby County Election Commission members, Brent Taylor, Bennie Smith, Kendra Lee, Steve Stamson, and Frank Uhlhorn, and administrator Linda Philips, that they are encouraged as they shepherd the process to completion.

Lord, we lift up the voters to You, that they seek discernment from You in who to elect. Lord, remind us that regardless of who wins, You are in control. You are bigger than political parties. You are bigger than our differences. We pray, Lord, that men and women of integrity are elected and work together for their neighbor, our neighbors. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has served Memphis since 1952. Le Bonheur means “happiness” in French. The following historical information was taken from the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital website.

“Le Bonheur’s charitable roots date back to 1923, when a group of women began making clothes for underprivileged children living at Leath Orphanage in Memphis. As Le Bonheur Club membership grew, so did its commitment to children. Soon, the Club began attending to the health care needs of children in the orphanage. By providing transportation to doctors’ appointments, women of the Le Bonheur Club became well known to local pediatricians.

In 1944, when the Pediatric Society had an idea for a hospital dedicated solely to children, they contacted Le Bonheur Club. After raising $2 million to build the facility, members of the community and Le Bonheur Club gathered on June 15, 1952, to open the doors to the hospital. As Le Bonheur Club’s president released red balloons with keys to the hospital attached, the celebration served as a promise that no child would ever be turned away from Le Bonheur.

“The doors of Le Bonheur will never be found closed and will forever hereafter be open to those who come in need, seeking its help.” – Mrs. Howard Pritchard, 1952, Le Bonheur Club president“

Lord, we lift up Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to you, that you bless the work of all medical personnel and staff and comfort the patients and families in their care. We pray for happiness and answered prayers. We pray for your wisdom and discernment in determining courses of treatment. We pray that the nurses and doctors are encouraged in their work. Lord, heal those children that are sick. Grant peace and comfort to worried parents and siblings. Be present in the halls and may the work be life-giving. We pray that the community supports the work being done there and that Your miracles are seen and celebrated. In Christ’s name, Amen.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Psalm 98:4

I hear it in my children. I remember doing it myself and occasionally think I’m in harmony. Songs don’t come out silently; they burst forth. It is a gift to be skilled in music and I’m in wonder of those who are able to do it well. What a gift we have in the human voice, recognized by God so much that Asaph was named by David to lead worship in song. He’s credited with 12 Psalms, emphasizing music’s role in worship of our Creator.

I asked an artist what his instrument was and he responded that he didn’t play one. His coach reminded him that he did indeed have one, “Vocals. Always say Vocals”. Your voice is a gift. Your voice is an instrument. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Lord, tonight we lift up all of those who fill they are with song, praising you with lyrics and their spirit. We thank you for “Jesus Loves Me” and “This is the Day,” simple reminders of your grace and love. We thank you for the musical history of our city of Memphis, Stax Records, Elvis, Sam & Dave, David Porter, Isaac Hayes, WC Handy, Johnny Cash, Beale St musicians, choir singers on Sunday, Visible College of Music, the Memphis Symphony, The Mighty Sound of the South, Gary Goin, Brandon Lewis, Morell Pruitte Jr., Friday Night Marching Bands, the Rhodes Chambers Singers, Stax Music Academy, The Consortium MMT, and so many more. We pray for grandmothers teaching their grandbabies hymns and fathers singing out of key but with all of their heart in the pews. We pray your influence is found in the Memphis sound and draws people closer to you. In Your name, amen.

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29 ESV

“Luck equals opportunity plus preparation.” It’s easy to see someone on top and think they came out of nowhere. What we don’t know is the time that person put in to get there. I spoke with a business owner who felt guilty about their success when others were having difficulty. I also knew this person had been grinding away for seven years and was now able to employ a few people. I told them we need their success. This person’s craftsmanship got them noticed by national brands. They had put in the time. They were skillful in their work. They were running their race. Keep pushing!

Lord, we lift up those individuals working on their craft when no one’s watching, those who are pouring their soul into their work, and pray that you are equipping them to serve before kings. Lord, we pray these craftsman in our midst look up and recognize the source of their gifts and the divine plan of their nature. Lord, tonight we lift up organizations in Memphis preparing our skilled craftsmen in the arts and in the trades. Bless their work and encourage them to keep at it.