I received this today from our General Superintendent.  Let’s pray for those in Connecticut and America. We need God.

Dear Fellow Minister:

Our hearts are heavy today as the details are still unfolding regarding the tragic shooting this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, where  some 600+ children in kindergarten through grade 4 attend. A recent report has indicated 26 fatalities, many of them children.

I attended a Christmas pageant today, in which my four-year old grandson participated as a shepherd.  I thought to myself how broken I would be if a gunman had come into that room and begun shooting those little children. 

We ask that you pray for those families who lost children and loved ones, as well as those injured—many in critical care—at this time. Please pray for the five Assemblies of God churches within a 10-mile radius of the school as they begin to minister to the hurting in their communities.

Here are some additional prayer points:

Pray for God’s sustaining grace and comfort upon families who have lost children and adults in this shooting.

Pray for the injured that they will recover.

Pray for the community of Newtown that has been traumatized by this occurrence.

Pray that the church will be able to respond with help and comfort in the hours and days ahead.

Pray for the emotional and mental well-being of children who attend Sandy Hook Elementary as they deal with this tragedy.

Pray that wise and sensitive counsel will quickly be available.

Pray for the well-being also of teachers, administrators, and staff.

Pray that families, friends, and the entire community will look to God for His strength, peace, and comfort.

Is your life like a whirlwind of time? Does your to do list never end?

Life is a precious commodity, a jewel to be guarded.

Psalm 89:47 says, “Remember how short my time is; for what futility have you created all the children of men?

While as Christians, we are not to be so wrapped up in this life that we do not care about eternal life; we should value our lives. Many people pass through life without savoring the beauty of what God has created around us. Some pass life through living in misery. I believe that our level of misery is determined by our attitude. Some choose to remain unhappy. If we value life, we will stop and find out how to enjoy it. Trials will still be there. You will still get sick at times, and someone might even hurt your feelings, but why let these ruin your life? Handle what life dishes out with joy and longsuffering.

Since we must value our life, there are three things that are highly important:

1. Our relationship with God. This is the most important. Life on its own is nothing without the Master. Seek to make the most of your time with Him. Be a student of His Word and take the time to spend at His feet. Those who value life will value the eternal.

2. Your Family. This is second in importance. God has entrusted you with your family. They have been loaned to you until Christ comes. Take the time to be with them. Someone once said, “A man on his deathbed will not look back at his life and say ‘I wish I would have spent more time at the office.'” Find out what is necessary to maintain your employment, but don’t sacrifice your family to make money. The legacy you leave to your children will live on when they raise kids. Let it be a good legacy.

3. Your ministry. Third, our life should be spent serving God and finding our place in Him. When rewards are passed out in Heaven, I look for Him to say, “Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant”. In valuing life, you should seek to make a difference in somebody else’s life. Do the most you can, the best you can for God!

Life is full of surprises and excitement. It is also full of trials and disappointments. Choose to love life, choose to cherish life, and choose to enjoy life! Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”