Chelsea pastors gather to pray for Las Vegas

The day after a mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed nearly 60 and injured more than 500, pastors from several Chelsea churches gathered to pray for healing.

The pastors came to Chelsea City Hall the afternoon of Oct. 2 to pray for the victims and families affected by the Oct. 1 shooting at a country music festival, as well as the community and country at large.

James Daniels, pastor of Chelsea Presbyterian Church, opened up the afternoon.

“If you were like I was this morning, looking at the news, and our hearts were broken as we realized that we had another evidence of disaster, another evidence of evil in this world,” Daniels said.  “…I think one of the things we always wonder is, ‘What can I do? Is there anything? I feel powerless where I am.’ As long as you can pray, you’re not powerless.”

Local pastors wanted to come together to minister to their community, Daniels said, and bring everyone together in a time of sorrow and even fear.

Pastors from eight Chelsea churches offered up prayers, for redemption, for those who died, for the families who lost someone, for the family of the shooter, for strength, for the country and community’s leaders and for connection. While fear sometimes brings discord, one pastor said, hopefully this tragedy will bring about a desire for understanding and a renewal of faith.

“Use these times to connect people with you,” he said.