Over the weekend, America suffered the deadliest terror attack since 911. No doubt you have heard the reports that the target of this attack was the LGBT community. As Christians, we are called to love our LGBT neighbors and today we pray for the victims and their families and loved ones who are suffering.

Although we disagree with the LGBT lifestyle and have clashed on many policy issues, we recognize that these are people who are created in the image of God and their lives have inestimable worth. There is room in our society for civil disagreement on issues, but no matter how strongly we disagree nothing justifies violence.

It is tragic that there are those who use religion to justify their hatred of a particular group of people. We are thankful for those in the Islamic community who have condemned this attack and it is our hope that others will be encouraged by their voices to speak out and take action to prevent future attacks.

Please join me in praying for the victims of this shooting, for the Orlando community, and for our nation as we deal with this terrible tragedy. And pray as well for those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe from future attacks.