Dear Prayer Pal-
My heart is heavy this week for our Christian family. I live only a few miles from Lititz, PA where our brother, David Ludwig is suspected of murdering his girlfriend’s parents, Michael and Cathryn Borden, on Sunday morning. While I do not know either family, my heart grieves for all the shattered lives. With two teenage boys, it could be my family – but by the grace of God …I am acutely aware that none of us are immune! No matter how hard we try, our children can still make wrong choices with costly consequences.
Tonight at 7:00 there will be a prayer gathering for those affected by the weekend’s tragedy. I would encourage you to set aside that time to pray for these distraught families in your home. Both families profess to be Christians. Kara Beth was just baptized as a believer in October. The kids were homeschooled and loved by their parents and church families. Still, something went terribly, tragically wrong! The five precious Borden children, three still dependent on their parents, are suddenly orphans. The Ludwig’s must deal with the loss of their son and brother, and the consequences of his sin. 14-year old Kara Beth Borden faces the consequences of her own sin – minimally disrespect, dishonor, and disobedience resulting in the death of her parents.
Let this be a wake up call for our kids! Parents, I plead with you to take advantage of this opportunity to talk to your children about choices and consequences. Whether your kids are home-schooled, Christian-schooled, or public-schooled, they are not untouchable! It could be a matter of life or death - yours, theirs, or someone else's.
Isaiah 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Prince of Peace,
I boldly come to the throne of grace with a heavy grief-filled heart for the hurting families of David Ludwig and Kara Beth Borden, two teens who made terrible choices resulting in tragic consequences. In their reckless rebellion they desecrated Your Most Holy Name. Merciful Father, forgive them!
Life is like a crystal ball. If it’s not handled tenderly, gracefully, and carefully it may drop and shatter into a million fragmented pieces. This week two teens played with the ball and broke it. They’ve shattered not only their lives, but the lives of their families. Gently, meticulously and painstakingly pick up each devastated piece and masterfully restore their lustrous allure. Please turn their tragic loss into triumphant victory. a
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, just like David and Kara Beth. Everyone reading this Prayer Pal at one time or another has made the choice to go his or her own way, disappointing, disobeying, and disrespecting You, our loving Father. We have intentionally made unwise and ungodly choices. b Each of us was, at one time, Your enemy. c And, anyone who has ever spoken angry, hateful words has killed. d
Graciously, You have made a way for our broken balls to be brought back through Your bruised, battered, broken body on the old rugged cross. We deserve the death penalty for our own hateful hearts, but You kindly took our punishment and died in our place so that we can truly live. That’s amazing love!
At the foot of the cross please pick up the fragile lives of Your children, shattered by tragedy. Comfort their crushed spirits with a crimson blanket of peace. Heal their hurts with the precious, priceless blood from Your wounds. Restore to them the pleasant prosperity of Your presence.
Hear my voice and be merciful to Your beloved children. Do not hide Your face from them. David and Kara Beth need Your healing grace as much as their loved ones. Please don’t turn away in anger. They are just kids who made foolish choices. The consequences will haunt them forever. Desperate and distraught, these families need You, their Prince of Peace, to come to their rescue. I am confident they will see Your goodness in the midst of their mess. Though they walk through trouble, reach out and touch them. Make Your face to shine on them and restore to them the joy of Your salvation.
God Most High, I know You have a plan to prosper and not to harm Your dearly beloved children. Your plan is bigger than I can understand. Please give these children a hope and a bright future in Your glorious and majestic kingdom. To You who saved me when I was Your enemy, be the glory and honor forever. Amen.
What has the Father asked you to do? Love a difficult person? Forgive a past hurt? Seek forgiveness? Go, share the Good News? In light of this situation, and His Holy Word, I would encourage you to obey the Father in order to avoid the consequences of disobedience, disappointment, and disrespect.
a. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
b. Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
c. Romans 5:10 When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son.
d.Matthew 5:21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, "Do not murder.' 22I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother "idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell "stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill." MSG
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