Newtown, CT

This city, once known to me as a place where a friend lives, is now infamous.

I'm a parent of school aged children.  My mommy heart broke yesterday.  I cried.  I prayed.  I got angry.  I cried some more.  I prayed continually.  30 minutes after I started hearing reports of what happened and I looked at my watch.  It was 11:10am.  My son's Kindergarten class has lunch at 11:20 and parents are always welcomed to have lunch with their students.  I quickly grabbed my 4 year old and told her we were having lunch with her brother at school.  Honestly, even though I gave my son a hug and told him, "I love you" as I walked him to his class yesterday morning I just needed to see him, hug him and tell him, "I love you" again.

As I cried and prayed and prayed and cried yesterday I was thankful that my friend's kids were safe, at a different elementary school in Newtown.  I was thankful I knew where both of my babies were and I was able to tuck them in, hug them, and tell them, "I love you" last night.   I also started thinking about  Moms in Prayer.  Moms in Prayer used to be called Moms in Touch and it's essentially a group of moms who gather every week to pray for their child's school.  I am incredibly thankful for the women I connected with through the Find a Group link on the Moms in Prayer website.   As I was thinking about my own MIP group I got curious and wondered if there was a group at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT.  I was saddened to hear there wasn't.  I can't think of a school in our country that needs Jesus more right now than that one and I am praying that God raises up moms to gather and interceed for this school on a regular basis, after the media attention dies down and those of us who weren't personally affected go on with our lives.

The State Coordinator in my state led a group of women from my MOMS group at church in a study of Power of a Praying Parent a couple years back that really helped open my eyes to the power of prayer.  My oldest was about 4 at the time, but remembering the lessons learned that year I knew that when my oldest started Kindergarten this year I wanted to be part of a MIP group so I looked one up and was able to find one for my son's school.

I'm not saying that the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook would've been prevented if there had been moms interceeding for that school, but I know that it gives me great comfort knowing I'm sending my child to a school that is regularly bathed in prayer by powerful women.

If you are a mom have kids in school I'd highly encourage you to gather with other moms to pray for the teachers, the staff and the students at your child's school. 

Going to my meetings isn't convenient because I have to bring my 4 year old daughter (the only child who attends so I make sure she has coloring books, crayons and books to keep her entertained and quiet while we pray), but it is something I am committed to and grateful for because I believe in the power of prayer.

I don't know if we'll ever truly know the answer to the "Why????" question so many of us (myself included) are asking, but I'm just clinging to the promises of God right now that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Please join me in continuing to pray for Sandy Hook and the entire community of Newtown, CT as they heal.  It's going to be a long process and one that continues for years after the national spotlight is off of them, but we know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and I'm just begging Him that He will give that town a peace that transcends all understanding.