The tragedy which occurred in Spain last week is just a reminder of how easy it is for any our nations to be surprised by terrorist attacks.

Hundreds of innocent lives were lost and thousands were injured in the attacks at the train station.

Authorities say that it appears the attacks were staged so they would affect the most people and the similarities between Spain's attack and the attack in New York are too familiar. The attack in Spain occurred of March 11th and our own occurred on September 11th. The attack in Spain occurred 911 days after the September attack in the United States.

That alone is enough for me to know that the attack was well planned and wanted to have an affect on those across the world. There is so much going on around us. War – although officially over – is still going on and lives are being lost every day. We watch the evening news now to find out how many more of our young men and women have been killed in a war that was over months ago. More lives have been lost since the official end of the war than during the entire conflict.

We have other issues taking front page across the nation. The issue of gay sex marriages have jumped to the forefront for weeks now and it is taking legislation to stop that. Drugs and alcohol are still in the news and child abuse and abuse by the clergy doesn't seem to go away.

Just this past weekend we heard of a man who killed seven people in a household over what they are calling now a domestic situation. At least five children, two infants and three toddlers were killed in that particular situation.

More than we want to hear there is news of people in authority – teachers, police officers, entertainers, club leaders and of course the clergy taking advantage of young children. We have to wonder what is going on in the minds of people who would take advantage of children whether it's physical, emotional or any other way. We all know there are some sick minds in this world but just how many, we don't know. It just appears to me that the number of sick people are getting larger and larger.

I'm beginning to understand when people say that there is a need for more prisons because there is certainly a lot of criminal activity happening. Crimes we had customarily assumed were centered in the big city are finding their way into our small neighborhoods and destroying the lives of many.

People are afraid to travel because of all the threats of terrorist activity and people will now be afraid of the railway system and probably even buses. Terrorists have attacked every venue of travel and now left many with a fear that is immeasurable.

Even though we say we are not afraid, there is still thoughts in the back of your mind about safety. We've seen too many incidences recently where weapons have been brought on airplanes without any security officers finding them. People are testing the system continuously just for the sheer pleasure of it to see if they can get away with it. Yes, it is something to be afraid of.

After the September 11th tragedy here in this great land there was an awakening of people. There was an awakening to the fact that we could be attacked and lives could be lost. There was also an awakening of how precious life really is and that each day should be taken seriously and should be treasured.

The attacks both here and in Spain were done at rush hour morning traffic when terrorists felt they would have their biggest audience. We don't expect it and don't know what to do when it happens.

One thing I'm sure of is that those who have no faith during any of these tragedies are lost. Those who have no faith during a time when lives are lost and people are injured won't recover from the mental torment it will cause. It's time for us all to fall on our knees and pray for a world of peace. It's time for us

all to fall on our knees and concentrate on solitude and if we pull together spiritually, just as the bible says, "no weapon formed against you shall prosper".