Did You Really #Pray4Orlando?

It's been tweeted, posted, and spoken millions of times since Sunday's tragic shooting in central Florida.  

Our thoughts and prayers are with . . .
Pray for the victims and families . . .
#Prayers4Orlando

By Monday, I thought to myself, "Have I really prayed?  What do I even pray for?"  Horrific tragedy leaves us speechless.  So we default to cliches and bumper sticker slogans.  "Thoughts and prayers" is one of those lines.  

If I'm going to say it, I better be willing to do it.  And not just a personal meditation or thoughtless batch of words.  Prayer isn't a conjuring of good vibes.  It is a pleading cry to the living God of the entire universe.  

Here are 12 things to specifically pray for:

1. Omar Mateen's family.  They must be completely wrecked.  
2. The LGBT community.  The owner of Pulse.  
3. The residents of central Florida.  The whole nation is camped in their backyard while they try to grieve, live, and move on.
4. Those who served.  Paramedics, police, medical examiners, doctors, and nurses traumatized by what they experienced Sunday.
5. The injured.  They bears scars in their bodies, hearts, and minds.  
6. Witnesses and bystanders who stood helpless to stop the horror.  They will be haunted by what they saw and heard forever.
7. Friends and families of the victims.  
8. Members of ISIS.  WHAT?!!!  We are under divine orders to "pray for our enemies."  For justice.  For repentance.  
9. Children who need this explained.  Kids are asking questions about humanity, evil, God, and their own safety.  
10. The local church in central Florida.  That Christians offer the distinct hope found only in the gospel of Jesus.  A peace that passes all understanding.
11. Pastors.  That they don't say anything stupid.  That they speak truthful, helpful, and transformative words.  
12. Elected leaders.  Local, state, and national.  For wisdom and measured responses.   For selfless service to our society with no self-serving political agendas (this is a huge prayer).  

Pray Psalm 13.  It's an honest, pleading prayer to God in the middle of unexplained suffering.  "How long, O Lord?"

Pray the Lord's Prayer.  We need God's name, his kingdom, and his will to be done more than ever.  "On earth as in heaven." 

All of our prayers are "in Jesus' name."  We know that there is no suffering in which Christ is not with us.  The cross is proof.  Lord, have mercy.