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The mass shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 is heartbreaking and deeply tragic. Events like this shake us to our core. Australia has long been known as a safe and peaceful nation – a place where people are free to live, worship, and hold their beliefs without fear or harassment. When violence erupts in a place of beauty and everyday life, it leaves a deep ache in the hearts of us all.
My heartfelt condolences go out to every family who has lost a loved one. I pray for comfort in the midst of grief, healing from trauma, and God’s peace to surround you during this unimaginable time. I also want to lift up the Australian Jewish community – may you feel wrapped in protection, love, and blessing, and may fear have no lasting hold over you.
My prayers extend to all who witnessed this violence and to the first responders who ran toward danger to save lives. What you saw and carried matters. May healing, strength, and deep rest be given to you.
I also want to acknowledge the man who courageously stopped one of the gunmen and chose restraint over retaliation. In a moment filled with chaos and fear, you chose self-control. May great blessings, peace, and prosperity rest upon you.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
– Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)
As Australians, we are being called to something higher right now. Let us stand together and refuse the language of hate. Be brave enough to be the voice of reason, truth, and compassion. The actions of two individuals do not represent the thoughts, beliefs, or values of an entire community or culture.
Hatred only breeds more hatred – but love heals, restores, and unites. Let our words be gentle. Let our actions be thoughtful. Let our hearts remain open.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
– Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Be kind to one another. Love one another. And together, let us do everything within our power to ensure that something like this never happens again.
A PRAYER FOR HEALING, UNITY, AND PEACE
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with heavy hearts. You see every tear, every shattered sense of safety, every soul grieving loss. We ask that You draw near to those who are mourning and wrap them in Your comfort and peace.
Lord, we pray healing for all who have been traumatized – those who witnessed this tragedy and those who ran toward danger to protect others. Restore minds, hearts, and spirits. Bring rest where there is exhaustion and hope where there is despair.
We lift up the Australian Jewish community and ask for Your protection, blessings, and peace to surround them. Let fear have no lasting place, and may Your love be felt deeply and tangibly.
Father, we thank You for courage, restraint, and mercy shown in the midst of chaos. Bless those who acted bravely and selflessly.
Help us as a nation to reject hatred and division. Teach us to speak with kindness, to listen with humility, and to act with love. May we be peacemakers in our homes, our communities, and our conversations.
We place all of this in Your hands, trusting You to bring beauty even from ashes.
Amen.
ACTIVATION: Be a Carrier of Peace
This week, choose to be intentional about peace.
- Speak words that calm rather than inflame
- Refuse to participate in hateful or divisive conversations
- Reach out with kindness – especially to someone who may feel afraid, isolated, or misunderstood
- Pray daily for unity, healing, and wisdom for our nation
Ask yourself:
“How can I reflect God’s love today in both my words and my actions?”
Small, loving choices – multiplied across a community – can change the atmosphere.
Please share how you have been the voice of love in a fearful world. You can comment and subscribe below so you don’t miss any posts. God bless you and your family.
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Photo by Damon Treweeke on Unsplash
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