Read Time: 4 min 43 sec | Reading Level: 8th Grade

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POLITICS

Assassination Attempt

On Saturday, former President Trump survived the closest assassination attempt on a U.S. president in recent history.

About five minutes into Trump's speech at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, multiple shots rang out. Trump grabbed his ear as Secret Service surrounded him. The former President had blood on the side of his face but raised a fist and waved as he was evacuated.

Doctors later confirmed that a bullet grazed Trump’s ear. He’s otherwise “fine.” A 50-year-old former fire chief attending the rally was fatally shot. Two others were critically wounded. A Secret Service sniper killed the shooter.

The FBI says the shooter was a 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident who had explosives in his car. Several witnesses reported seeing the shooter crawling on a nearby roof. Witnesses alerted authorities before shots were fired.

The shooter's motives and the Secret Service's response are being investigated. 

Meanwhile, the Republican National Convention is going on this week in Milwaukee, WI. Former President Trump was officially nominated and chose 39-year-old Ohio senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
In times of fear and violence, we turn to “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Join us in praying for the families of the lost and wounded and for our nation.

Almighty God… Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home… all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
The Book of Common Prayer, “For Our Nation,” #39.

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
God is in control, no matter what.

This week, things have felt chaotic, and the former President wasn’t assassinated. It’s hard to imagine the chaos the country would’ve felt had the assassination attempt been successful. Election season is far from over, and we can expect more anger, fear, and uncertainty ahead.

Despite all this, God is firm. His plans are not threatened. He is not worried. He is in control.

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
Leading Democrats and Republicans alike have asked Americans to “turn down the temperature” in how they speak about politics.

Christians can be at the forefront of that effort. Policy that shapes America’s future isn’t as high stakes for believers because we know that our time as citizens of the U.S. is just a blip on the timeline of eternity. Having that eternal hope means political outcomes don’t have the power to make us anxious or steal our joy.

Knowing where our citizenship is changes the way we live now: “For the grace of God has appeared… instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

• Deescalate your next heated conversation—whether about politics or what’s for dinner—rather than arguing to be right or get what you want. Measuresuccess by how you’ve loved your conversation partner rather than whether or not you “won.”
  

• Memorize Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath” (CSB).
  

• Pray for the family who lost their loved one and for the political divisions in the nation to be healed. Closer to home, pray for the Spirit’s help in responding to harshness with gentleness.

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