I did not sleep much last night as I sat and prayed and cried for Rev. Reynolds family, Turner Monumental AME Church. And I prayed for the family of the woman who shot her mother, Rev. Reynolds and herself. I also prayed for her.

But the word of God sustains me and the history of the AME church encourages me. As this great denomination has lasted through the brutal killings of slavery, the civil rights movement and every world event since 1787. We have allowed Christ to heal us and renew us. He will do it again for Turner Monumental AME and the 6th district.

I spoke to a lutheran clergyfriend this morning and she told me she and members within her denomination were praying for the AME Church. I also heard from a member of the Missionary Alliance Church today who said her church was praying for the AME church. I heard from a friend who is Presbyterian who shared her church has put the ame church on their prayer chain. I experienced the body of Christ anew this morning as Christians reached across denominational lines to comfort the AME church.

I do not know why this tragedy happened in Atlanta. I was beginning my church service yesterday when my trustee told me what happened. We immediately went into prayer for turner church. We immediately stood and said the Apostle's Creed and clung to the promise that Christ would comfort the grieving. The lectionary reading was from Job. My sermon title was "I believe!" When we suffer trials and tribulation we must BELIEVE in the triumphant power of God. We must believe that through the longest darkess night, the sun will shine through Jesus.

I have cried for my ame family in Georgia, but I have not asked why? Instead I chose to spend that energy in prayer for turner ame and our denomination. There is no pain that Christ cannot relieve. There is no sorrow that God cannot comfort, there is no heart ache that God cannot cure.

During this time of grieving, take time to greet one another with the love of Christ. Take the time to see the good in our denomination and build upon it. Take the time to send a card of hope for the Reynolds family and the Robinson family from the connectional church.

The body of Christ cannot be broken as long as we say yes to him.

Father God, awesome incredible God, we praise you for your son, we thank you for the internet so that our hearts can touch across geographic boundaries. We ask for comfort and courage for those left behind as they grieve the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our Bishops as they rally around Bishop Cummings, we pray for the sixth district as they come together to grieve. We pray that the media will be kept at a distance so that the families can grieve privately. We pray for leaders in the sixth district such as Robert Mattews III, PR director of the Lay organization, Rev. Davis, P.E. Ifill, Bishop Cummings and all the saints that will be called upon to lead and comfort in the sixth district. Father God we are a CONNECTIONAL church and at a time such as this,let us put differences and step forward with the love that Paul the Apostle commands. Be an umbrella of comfort for the AME church and we thank you for the other denominations that are reaching to help us. In your holy and powerful name. Amen

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2003

Answers

Hello

Let us continue to pray for our A. M. E. brothers and sisters in Georgia. In times like this we need the body of Christ to go to God in prayer on behalf our friends.

I completely agree with you. God don't make mistakes. He is able to take care you and comfort you in the time of need.

He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way!

When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

Fedrick Allen Wilson

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2003