This isn't happening.

That's all I thought when I heard about the bomb that went off near my family's car. I had just gotten out of the shower and was on my way to church when my phone notifications blew up about the attack. To be sure, I drove to the spot where it happened.

"This can't be happening, this can't be happening!" I yelled.

"Stand back son," a police officer said, "this place is still dangerous."

"Sir, you don't understand. Thats my mom and dad's car! Where is my family?" I asked in desperation.

"I'm sorry son. They didn't make it." he said.

In desperation I ran towards the car, hoping there would be a sign of life. But, before I was at the halfway point I was grabbed from behind and carried away.

"L-let go of me!" I yelled, and shoved away.

"Nathan, calm down. It's okay."

"Pastor Roy? What are you doing here?"

"I heard about the attack... I'm sorry, Nathan... They say the joy of the Lord is our strength... Let that be yours. Come on, we need to get out of here before people swarm you. I got your back..."

As I ran to my truck and got in I was at a loss for words.
"God, why did this happen? Why now? Are you here with me? Do You have me in Your arms? Where are You, God?"

I cranked my truck and sped to church with a trail of cars behind me. I signed. "Oh great... More people to remind me..." I pulled into the parking lot and parked and got out. Pastor Roy came over to me.
"Nathan... We need to get inside. We're just gonna pray for you and protect you. I know this is so sudden and it happened right after your brother was killed by the Midina Confederacy, but now you've got to be strong in the Lord and in His grace."

We sprinted inside and I ran to the sanctuary while Pastor Roy held back the people who were trying to get to me. Inside were my friends and youth pastor and my best friend Todd.

"Nathan, come on and join us. We got you, brother." Todd said

I walked to the center of the circle and laid on my face and did all I could. I wept.

"You know, Jesus was in this same predicament when Lazarus died. He wept for His friend. He knows how you feel, Nathan. Let it out."

The people, now accompanied by a tired Pastor Roy and elders of the church all laid hands on me and a girl named Sarah, who had suffered the same way I had.

"God," Pastor Carly prayed, "heal Nathan's wounded heart. He is going through an immense amount of pain that only you can help him get through. Please come down upon this church, this room, and upon all of us. We have not only lost people but we have lost good friends and family. Comfort us as well, and give us strength to stand strong against the terror and fear that the Midina Confederacy has our in our hearts. We know You are the God of David and The God of Jacob, and that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power. Please also help Sarah, who is laying right next to Nathan. Help her to be comforted and help her to have strength, and to know that Jesus and the joy of the Lord is our strength. In Jesus name I ask these things, amen."

I looked up at Sarah and saw the same pain in her eyes, and I got on my knees and hugged her.

"If anything, we'll get through this together. I'm with you." I said.

She looked at me and nodded. "I am with you as well."

"God, there are no words to explain how much we need You in these moments," Pastor Roy prayed, "but we do need You now more than ever. As we come to worship You, please come make Your presence known in this room. Spirit of God, come like the dawn and open the heavens on us. We need to know You in this dark hour. Please come and fall upon us like Acts 2 days. In Your precious, holy name we pray, Jesus, Amen."

As the stage was set for worship and as the instruments began to play, I felt a heaviness in the room.

"Spirit of God, come like the dawn, open the heavens on us,
Cause we want to know You,
We want to know You, yeah,

How marvelous,
How wonderful,
Is Your love,
Is Your love."

All of the room was filled with a mighty, rushing wind like Acts 2. Pastor Roy began to speak on tongues and an Elder translated:

"Sons and Daughters of God, there is no doubt that these are dark days. But take heart and be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. To some of you, I say this: do not fear death, but fear the one who can cast both the body and soul into Hell. Strengthen the weak knees and cleanse your hands and purify your hearts. This nation will be put to the test and many will fall away and defect. But the one who stands firm to the end shall be saved. This so called Medina Confederacy will think they have victory and in pride attack Israel, and my people. Do not be afraid. Defend the people with all your heart. Seek Me and you will find Me when you search with all your heart. Today, if you will hear My voice, do not harden your hearts. Rend them to Me and I will fill you with Joy."

We all collapsed under the power of the Holy Spirit, and each of us received a prayer language.

Later that day, my buddy Todd and some of our friends from the youth group came to my house.

There was a knock at the door. It was Sarah and the rest of the youth group.

"Hey guys, I thought it would be better for all of us to be together. I mean, after all that's happened, we need a good time." Sarah said, smiling.

"Sure. Would you like to come in?" I asked.

"Yes, please." she said.

"Hope you guys are hungry," Todd said, "I just ordered a bunch of pizza for us. Since school is out and we've all graduated we should relax and enjoy each other's company."

"I can agree with that," Sarah said, "the Medina Confederacy is putting us all on edge..."

"Yeah." I said. The phone started to ring.

"Hello? Nathan, it's your aunt Josephine. You need to turn on the news."

"Why do I need to turn on the news?" I asked.

"The president is calling for a draft. You and your friends might be going off to war."

I turned on the news to see what my aunt was talking about.

".... Now we're back with the 5 o' clock news. Today's recent terrorist attacks on the capital city of Gladys have left lawmakers stunned. With half of our fighting forces already deployed overseas, the president is calling for a nationwide draft...."

"Aunt Josephine are you there?" I asked.

"Yes, honey, I am."

"Stay safe. We have to be on high alert. I love you... Goodbye."

There was a knock on the door.

"Oh great! Pizza's here! I got it," I said.

I opened the door.

"Are you Nathan Rollins? A man in a uniform asked.

My friends came to the door.

"Ah, great, you're all here! Mr. Rollins, you and your friends have been selected for the nationwide draft. Pack your bags, boys and girls. You get your assigned company in the morning."