Churches should pray specifically for the families of those killed in shootings across the country this week, says Southern Baptist spokesman Dr. Russell Moore.
Writing in his latest blog, the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention says believers should pray by name for the families of those killed.
"One of the most chilling aspects of the violence we see around us is the attempt at invisibility, as though those who are killed lived lives that didn't matter," wrote Moore, noting that "this is not new.
"After Cain killed Abel, he chafed at even the reminder of his existence," he said.
Early Tuesday morning Alton Sterling died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after police shot him multiple times and Philando Castile died in a separate police shooting in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday evening.
In Dallas, a gunman killed five police officers during a public protest on Thursday night. Three of the officers have been publicly identified: Michael Krol, Brent Thompson and Patrick Zamarripa.
Moore also encourages church leaders to include songs of lament in services this weekend and to consider the particular needs and concerns of their congregations at this time.
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