Uniting as a Country to Pray after Colorado Shooting Tragedy

Aimee Herd : Jul 20, 2012
Jennifer LeClaire - Charisma News

"?if there's anything to take away from this tragedy it's the reminder that life is very fragile. Our time here is limited and it is precious. And what matters at the end of the day is not the small things, it's not the trivial things, which so often consume us and our daily lives. Ultimately, it's how we choose to treat one another and how we love one another." ?President Obama

Friday morning brought news of sad events in Aurora, Colorado, as a gunman opened fire in a movie theatre, on the audience of a midnight showing of the "Dark Knight" killing 12, and injuring 59 others.

Many of us, sickened by the news hit our knees in prayer for the families of the senselessly slain and healing for the victims who are recovering from gunshot wounds.

It was the words of the president, however, that brought some measure of comfort today, as he laid aside the campaign trail and spoke from the heart to the crowd in attendance, asking them to pray.

May we continue to do so, not only for the victims' families, and the healing of those recovering, but for the state of Colorado, which has undergone such hardship of late, with the enormous wildfires?and for this nation in general.

Below are some of President Obama's comments?

"This morning we woke up to news of a tragedy that reminds us of all the ways that we are united as one American family.

"Now, even as we learn how this happened and who's responsible, we may never understand what leads anybody to terrorize their fellow human beings like this. Such violence, such evil is senseless. It's beyond reason. But while we will never know fully what causes somebody to take the life of another, we do know what makes life worth living?"

"The people we lost in Aurora loved and they were loved. They were mothers and fathers; they were husbands and wives; sisters and brothers; sons and daughters, friends and neighbors. They had hopes for the future and they had dreams that were not yet fulfilled.

"And if there's anything to take away from this tragedy it's the reminder that life is very fragile. Our time here is limited and it is precious. And what matters at the end of the day is not the small things, it's not the trivial things, which so often consume us and our daily lives. Ultimately, it's how we choose to treat one another and how we love one another.

"Michelle and I will be fortunate enough to hug our girls a little tighter tonight, and I'm sure you will do the same with your children. But for those parents who may not be so lucky, we have to embrace them and let them know we will be there for them as a nation.

"I hope all of you will keep the people of Aurora in your hearts and minds today. May the Lord bring them comfort and healing in hard days to come."