Shooting drives students to prayer

Headlines cite Americans turning to prayer following the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech, which saw 33 people killed.

Hours after the worst mass shooting in modern US history, Wes Barts, a full-time campus minister for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, was bunkered down with other pastors discussing their approach to the disaster.

InterVarsity, an evangelical campus mission, has three staff members and a fellowship of 180 students on the campus. Mr Barts spent the hours immediately after the shots were fired ensuring all members were unharmed.

“We’re trying to figure out how much do we do as a chapter and how much do we do as a bigger fellowship of believers.”

Students struggling to come to terms with the loss of friends and professors turned to campus congregations for support.

“I am deeply encouraged by the love and comfort that our students give to each other,” Mr Barts says. “The body of Christ is truly at work here.”

InterVarsity held a prayer meeting for staff and students the night of the slaying, and a follow-up campus-wide prayer event was held the following Wednesday. American youth will also hold a national day of prayer on May 2, with students meeting on Capitol Hill.

InterVarsity’s website emphasises the importance of appealing to God.

“Though it feels like a dark cloud is over Blacksburg, God is present. In this time of mourning, Christ is with us in our pain. In Christ Jesus we find our hope and refuge!”, the home page proclaims.

Blacksburg is in Virginia’s Bible belt, with most students calling themselves Christian. Churches held prayer vigils and church doors were reportedly left open in the days following the massacre, inviting those who needed prayer. Students carrying placards with Christian messages walked the campus in prayer.

“Prayer is not only a powerful healing agent in itself, but it sends a strong message of solidarity with these families,” says the Rev Rob Schenck, an evangelical minister and President of the National Clergy Council.

As people reflect on the crime itself, Mr Schenck says the judgement of God has become an important subject.

“Christian leaders must tell young people that accountability for doing wrong doesn’t stop with death. We will ultimately face God as a righteous judge.”

Click here to comment on this article for the next edition of Southern Cross

Latest articles in sc articles
- PROMOTE THE SEPTEMBER EDITION OF SOUTHERN CROSS - 5 days, 6 hours ago
- Vacant parishes September 2008 - 6 days, 20 hours ago
- Clergy moves September 2008 - 6 days, 20 hours ago