Jesus, help us. We are so deeply broken.
For black Americans, bless their spirits. Hold their hearts and strengthen them to keep moving forwards. Bless their progress, their efforts toward peace, and their cause, that there may be actual equality in America.
Lord, please break the spirit of racism that binds so many blacks today. Though they are certainly oppressed and have been for centuries, let their hearts be passionately bent on reconciliation. Do not let suffering injustice bloom into racism within their hearts. Do not allow the idea that violence can fix injustice grow in any community. Just as everyone hates to be judged by their skin color, do not allow the idea that anyone without black skin is against blacks permeate black culture. Remind them that there have been, there are, and there will continue to be people of all colors who support equality for every race, who rally with them, who vote for legislation that promotes equality. Remind them that they have a loving God who sees the struggles and the crimes and who is moved to compassion. Remind them that they are never alone, not even when they intentionally isolate themselves physically, emotionally, politically, or geographically. Encourage the hearts of black Americans to pray. Every day. May they take the time to pray their hearts, to speak honestly and peacefully about their experiences being profiled, targeted, and oppressed by white America. May they use words to explain their deep pain. Bless black families who teach their children to do right even when wrong is done to them on a regular basis. Bless them as they fight the good fight with love, hope, endurance, and kindness.
For white Americans, open our eyes. Show us the privilege we enjoy but don't recognize. Show us how we inadvertently oppress our brothers and sisters. Convict our hearts when we think less of someone because of their skin color. Give us discernment so that we would realize the error of our ways. Do not let any of us continue in indifference, but break our hearts for the inequality rampant in the country we think is free. Help us to teach our children by example, to be the kind, gentle, just people we want others to be. Break the spirit of racism that binds so many whites today.
Let there be love across races, friendships across races, camaraderie across races and let it begin with those in power. From politicians to military to police to teachers to employers to children, send a wave of compassion to wash over our hurting country. May the internet explode with examples of people loving each other and willfully ignoring skin color. May the streets and stores be full of people actively countering the hate being taught and nurtured in homes. May movies, TV, and music reflect the change of heart in the people of America. Please, send your spirit to teach us compassion.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Friday, July 8, 2016
Dallas Shooting
Lord, look on this country in love. Look on us in mercy. Have compassion on our sinful, hateful, hurtful, evil state. By your kindness, lead us to repentance.
As we wade through the aftermath of police shootings, remind us of the beauty of forgiveness. Put out the fire of anger at injustice and replace it with a burning passion to forgive and rebuild. Set it in our hearts to reach out to wrongdoers, to murderers, to people full of hate. Give us hearts to pray for them and shower them in undeserved, perfect forgiveness. Teach us inwardly that forgiveness is the only way to move forward that will produce anything good.
Be moved to stir up forgiveness in our hearts. Teach us how to forgive one another by moving us to forgive one another daily. Now, please, Father! Remind us of the example of Jesus, who forgives every horrible injustice against him and against you. Help us to strive to be ridiculously forgiving, even to the point of actual ridicule.
Lovingly convict our hardened hearts to hold captive any thought or emotion that encourages us to retaliate. Give us discernment so we would know when we are guilty of such sin. Do not let us carry on in our destructive ways, whether in act, thought, or law-making. Break our hearts for the people involved and not the cause. Break our hearts for the families, the fatherless children, the shattered widows, the inconsolable coworkers and friends. In that brokenness, solidify a foundation of love and hope. Let there be a wave of optimism and idealism among the people of this country. May there be an outpouring of love and kindness instead of the easier but more destructive inclination to act out in anger.
By the power of the cross, by the power that raised Christ from the dead, change the hearts of this nation. Raise up godly leaders who will point to you and who will refuse to engage in violence. Raise up peacemakers and peacekeepers whose passion and integrity are contagious! Father, have mercy on us. We have hated too long that we have forgotten what it means to love. Help us. Help us, please.
As we wade through the aftermath of police shootings, remind us of the beauty of forgiveness. Put out the fire of anger at injustice and replace it with a burning passion to forgive and rebuild. Set it in our hearts to reach out to wrongdoers, to murderers, to people full of hate. Give us hearts to pray for them and shower them in undeserved, perfect forgiveness. Teach us inwardly that forgiveness is the only way to move forward that will produce anything good.
Be moved to stir up forgiveness in our hearts. Teach us how to forgive one another by moving us to forgive one another daily. Now, please, Father! Remind us of the example of Jesus, who forgives every horrible injustice against him and against you. Help us to strive to be ridiculously forgiving, even to the point of actual ridicule.
Lovingly convict our hardened hearts to hold captive any thought or emotion that encourages us to retaliate. Give us discernment so we would know when we are guilty of such sin. Do not let us carry on in our destructive ways, whether in act, thought, or law-making. Break our hearts for the people involved and not the cause. Break our hearts for the families, the fatherless children, the shattered widows, the inconsolable coworkers and friends. In that brokenness, solidify a foundation of love and hope. Let there be a wave of optimism and idealism among the people of this country. May there be an outpouring of love and kindness instead of the easier but more destructive inclination to act out in anger.
By the power of the cross, by the power that raised Christ from the dead, change the hearts of this nation. Raise up godly leaders who will point to you and who will refuse to engage in violence. Raise up peacemakers and peacekeepers whose passion and integrity are contagious! Father, have mercy on us. We have hated too long that we have forgotten what it means to love. Help us. Help us, please.
Black Lives Matter
God, draw these activists to yourself. Fill them with the love of Christ and compel them by your spirit to clothe themselves with Christ!
Lead them to peace and the desire for peace through peace instead of violence. Lift the veil from their eyes that they may see when they have let emotions conquer integrity. Show them the gravity of chanting "What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!" in the streets. Convict their hearts of this prejudice, racism, violence, and hatred. Show them that adding evil to evil will accomplish nothing good.
May they each consider their hearts before, during, and after any protest or demonstration. Remind them that while black lives matter, so do the lives of people who are against their cause. Even in their oppression, help them to see clearly and lift up shouts of praise to you and prayers to you, knowing that you are with the oppressed. Give them the grace to seek forgiveness in their hearts.
Raise up a peaceful, powerful, charismatic leader among them whom they will follow in peace. May s/he be full of your spirit, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and motivate the people in a calm, loving, hopeful way. Bless him/her with wisdom and discernment. Choose this person now, Father, and prepare his/her heart for the battles ahead. May s/he be well versed in history so the pitfalls of the past can be avoided. May s/he be aware of racism on a global level, not just in their own backyard. May s/he be adamantly, vehemently, passionately opposed to all kinds of violence, even that which seems to be warranted. May s/he discourage fellow activists from slander, violence, and further racism. May equality, safety, and peace be the new goals of this organization.
For those who are preparing violence in the name of BlackLivesMatter, halt their plans in Jesus' name! Deplete their assets, destroy their destructive relationships, foil their evil schemes by all means, Lord of all! Intercede on their behalves, please. Change their hearts. Replace their hearts hardened by oppression, anger, pride, and injustice with hearts of flesh full of patience, love, and the desire for reconciliation. In your mercy, give them time to repent and change. Come to their sides now, Father; rush in to convict their hearts. Reveal their hatred to each of them so they would know they are not free from guilt. May the spirit of God rest upon them and accomplish your will alone.
Lead them to peace and the desire for peace through peace instead of violence. Lift the veil from their eyes that they may see when they have let emotions conquer integrity. Show them the gravity of chanting "What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!" in the streets. Convict their hearts of this prejudice, racism, violence, and hatred. Show them that adding evil to evil will accomplish nothing good.
May they each consider their hearts before, during, and after any protest or demonstration. Remind them that while black lives matter, so do the lives of people who are against their cause. Even in their oppression, help them to see clearly and lift up shouts of praise to you and prayers to you, knowing that you are with the oppressed. Give them the grace to seek forgiveness in their hearts.
Raise up a peaceful, powerful, charismatic leader among them whom they will follow in peace. May s/he be full of your spirit, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and motivate the people in a calm, loving, hopeful way. Bless him/her with wisdom and discernment. Choose this person now, Father, and prepare his/her heart for the battles ahead. May s/he be well versed in history so the pitfalls of the past can be avoided. May s/he be aware of racism on a global level, not just in their own backyard. May s/he be adamantly, vehemently, passionately opposed to all kinds of violence, even that which seems to be warranted. May s/he discourage fellow activists from slander, violence, and further racism. May equality, safety, and peace be the new goals of this organization.
For those who are preparing violence in the name of BlackLivesMatter, halt their plans in Jesus' name! Deplete their assets, destroy their destructive relationships, foil their evil schemes by all means, Lord of all! Intercede on their behalves, please. Change their hearts. Replace their hearts hardened by oppression, anger, pride, and injustice with hearts of flesh full of patience, love, and the desire for reconciliation. In your mercy, give them time to repent and change. Come to their sides now, Father; rush in to convict their hearts. Reveal their hatred to each of them so they would know they are not free from guilt. May the spirit of God rest upon them and accomplish your will alone.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Islamis state
Warrior God,
Call down fire from heaven to destroy the hearts of evil men. Shield their families from your wrath which you will surely pour out on them for oppressing, killing, raping, and destroying the innocent. Keep their families' hearts far from the people of the Islamic State. May they continue in prayer, fasting, and innocence and be spared the certain destruction coming to their nation.
For the men of ISIS, shatter their self images. Do not allow them to see themselves as holy, good, or righteous by your name or any other name. Do not allow them to continue in their ways thinking they are pleasing you. Reveal to each of their hearts the evil they are doing and the fact that they do it in their own names. Show them that they are seeking to make a nation unto themselves, that they are doing every evil thing under the sun in order to gain power and glory for themselves. Come to them in dreams and visions, showing them what they have become. Give them all nightmares about their sin from now until the day they die. May there be no peace in their hearts, no comfort, no justification for them even on their easiest days. May they be heavily weighed down with the guilt, shame, and horror of all they have done, are doing, and plan to do.
Divide them from their families, their friends, their people. Draw them out into foolish positions that they may be destroyed. Cause them to stumble, to make mistakes, to blunder themselves into capture and defeat. Remove your spirit from them in entirety. Take them like sheep to the slaughter because of their sin. Pour out your wrath on them, just King of all! Do not let them continue in their wickedness even one more day. May they fall into the pits they have dug for themselves.
For the families of the people they've killed, console them in their deepest hearts. Come, be with them, beside them, in them. Wrap them in your loving arms and let them experience the comfort of the Lord. Chase away their need for understanding and justice, but call them to look to you for strength. Calm their terrorized minds enough to sleep through the nights. Calm their fears enough to make it through the days. Stir up hearts aching for healing and forgiveness in them. May they not be ruled by fear, hatred, or the desire for retaliation. May there be a significant peace hovering on and around them, guiding each of them to pray for help from you.
Call down fire from heaven to destroy the hearts of evil men. Shield their families from your wrath which you will surely pour out on them for oppressing, killing, raping, and destroying the innocent. Keep their families' hearts far from the people of the Islamic State. May they continue in prayer, fasting, and innocence and be spared the certain destruction coming to their nation.
For the men of ISIS, shatter their self images. Do not allow them to see themselves as holy, good, or righteous by your name or any other name. Do not allow them to continue in their ways thinking they are pleasing you. Reveal to each of their hearts the evil they are doing and the fact that they do it in their own names. Show them that they are seeking to make a nation unto themselves, that they are doing every evil thing under the sun in order to gain power and glory for themselves. Come to them in dreams and visions, showing them what they have become. Give them all nightmares about their sin from now until the day they die. May there be no peace in their hearts, no comfort, no justification for them even on their easiest days. May they be heavily weighed down with the guilt, shame, and horror of all they have done, are doing, and plan to do.
Divide them from their families, their friends, their people. Draw them out into foolish positions that they may be destroyed. Cause them to stumble, to make mistakes, to blunder themselves into capture and defeat. Remove your spirit from them in entirety. Take them like sheep to the slaughter because of their sin. Pour out your wrath on them, just King of all! Do not let them continue in their wickedness even one more day. May they fall into the pits they have dug for themselves.
For the families of the people they've killed, console them in their deepest hearts. Come, be with them, beside them, in them. Wrap them in your loving arms and let them experience the comfort of the Lord. Chase away their need for understanding and justice, but call them to look to you for strength. Calm their terrorized minds enough to sleep through the nights. Calm their fears enough to make it through the days. Stir up hearts aching for healing and forgiveness in them. May they not be ruled by fear, hatred, or the desire for retaliation. May there be a significant peace hovering on and around them, guiding each of them to pray for help from you.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Pulse
Father, we are broken and brokenhearted.
For the people who were shot and survived, give them extraordinary strength and courage to continue. Wash over them with your spirit that they might be encouraged and renewed. Lead them to forgiveness so no attacker will have power over them. Help them to heal quickly and well physically and to heal as thoroughly as possible emotionally. Let the scars on their bodies remind them of your grace toward them as long as they live. Let the recollection of that evil night swell up into worship in their hearts to you, for you have saved them and given them the grace of life. Embolden them with your spirit, that they would not be afraid. Give them spiritual and mental determination so they would keep being who you made them to be. Bless them each with words of wisdom that they can share with people who can't understand and who are angry. Extinguish their burning anger and fury at the situation and the gunman and turn it into a desire to show love in every circumstance. May there be an outpouring of grace, love, and friendship in the coming time and may there be reconciliation among the LGBT community and the rest of the world. Let there be peace and love, great Father.
For the families and friends of victims both dead and alive, pour out your peace on their hearts. Let them not stumble in trying to find meaning or understanding. Give them renewed and impassioned fervor for making the world better with kindness. Teach them to forgive, especially when their transgressors don't ask for or deserve forgiveness. Show them how liberating and restorative forgiveness is, specifically when it is not warranted. Give them words of comfort to share with each other. Bless them with good people who show their concern, love, and solidarity with gestures of selflessness. May they each be outstandingly encouraged by the aftermath of this tragedy and be strengthened to share the burdens of their loved ones.
For the people of Pulse night club, both staff and customers, bless their hearts. Motivate them to remain strong and courageous without hiding or running. Give them an extra measure of determination, that they would not be overcome by hate. May the bonds among them be strengthened and the chains of fear be broken. May an air of peace settle onto that place, causing all to feel safe and loved.
For the family of the gunman, grant them sanity. Wash them of feeling guilty. Don't let them bear the weight of the sin of their kin. Lift the pain from them steadily, slowly, until they are able to come out from under it. Give them good, forgiving, edifying people to surround them and lift them up. Encourage their hearts to speak freely, to get out all their feelings of shame and horror. Break the chains that bind them to that man. Give them freedom by your spirit.
For the LGBT community at large, may they feel more loved now than ever. May they realize how many people are on their side, praying for them, lifting them up, equally outraged at the atrocities committed against them. Bless them as they continue living in this country that regularly shows them hatred. May they become examples of love, forgiveness, kind words, and tolerance in the same way they wish the world would do for them. Be heavy on them as they hurt and heal now, Lord. Give them the comfort of the holy spirit as they carry on and try to live in impossible circumstances. May they come to know the restoration found in Christ and come to know his compassion for each of them.
For those who are outraged, let there be a calm that falls on the people of the United States. Let there be a sobriety of mind that permeates the people. May the country come to make rational decisions about laws, safety, hate crimes, and religious freedoms. Cause us to consider everything with discernment and show us when it's time to let go of old ways. Help us to forget tradition when it interferes with safety the state of the nation. Teach us to cling to you instead of to our ideals. Break each of us of our prejudices as soon as we ask, Lord. Please, remind us all that we are all hypocrites and haters at some point, but by your grace, we are set free from those ways. Keep us ever mindful of the grace you have shown us so that we would be bold enough to show that grace to others. Let us be strict at the right times and lenient a the right times. Give us wisdom to discern those times.
For those who are indifference, break their hearts. Open their eyes to the hateful world they inhabit and remind them that if they don't have love, they have nothing. Show them their own sin, that they would not judge others so harshly. Convict their hearts about their indifference and reveal to them their true nature. Cause a wave of compassion to wash over this group of people, compassion for the hurting, the broken, and the lost. Set them into action to change things for the better, to make the country better, to seek out unity and reconciliation. Break their hearts for the oppressed.
For the people who were shot and survived, give them extraordinary strength and courage to continue. Wash over them with your spirit that they might be encouraged and renewed. Lead them to forgiveness so no attacker will have power over them. Help them to heal quickly and well physically and to heal as thoroughly as possible emotionally. Let the scars on their bodies remind them of your grace toward them as long as they live. Let the recollection of that evil night swell up into worship in their hearts to you, for you have saved them and given them the grace of life. Embolden them with your spirit, that they would not be afraid. Give them spiritual and mental determination so they would keep being who you made them to be. Bless them each with words of wisdom that they can share with people who can't understand and who are angry. Extinguish their burning anger and fury at the situation and the gunman and turn it into a desire to show love in every circumstance. May there be an outpouring of grace, love, and friendship in the coming time and may there be reconciliation among the LGBT community and the rest of the world. Let there be peace and love, great Father.
For the families and friends of victims both dead and alive, pour out your peace on their hearts. Let them not stumble in trying to find meaning or understanding. Give them renewed and impassioned fervor for making the world better with kindness. Teach them to forgive, especially when their transgressors don't ask for or deserve forgiveness. Show them how liberating and restorative forgiveness is, specifically when it is not warranted. Give them words of comfort to share with each other. Bless them with good people who show their concern, love, and solidarity with gestures of selflessness. May they each be outstandingly encouraged by the aftermath of this tragedy and be strengthened to share the burdens of their loved ones.
For the people of Pulse night club, both staff and customers, bless their hearts. Motivate them to remain strong and courageous without hiding or running. Give them an extra measure of determination, that they would not be overcome by hate. May the bonds among them be strengthened and the chains of fear be broken. May an air of peace settle onto that place, causing all to feel safe and loved.
For the family of the gunman, grant them sanity. Wash them of feeling guilty. Don't let them bear the weight of the sin of their kin. Lift the pain from them steadily, slowly, until they are able to come out from under it. Give them good, forgiving, edifying people to surround them and lift them up. Encourage their hearts to speak freely, to get out all their feelings of shame and horror. Break the chains that bind them to that man. Give them freedom by your spirit.
For the LGBT community at large, may they feel more loved now than ever. May they realize how many people are on their side, praying for them, lifting them up, equally outraged at the atrocities committed against them. Bless them as they continue living in this country that regularly shows them hatred. May they become examples of love, forgiveness, kind words, and tolerance in the same way they wish the world would do for them. Be heavy on them as they hurt and heal now, Lord. Give them the comfort of the holy spirit as they carry on and try to live in impossible circumstances. May they come to know the restoration found in Christ and come to know his compassion for each of them.
For those who are outraged, let there be a calm that falls on the people of the United States. Let there be a sobriety of mind that permeates the people. May the country come to make rational decisions about laws, safety, hate crimes, and religious freedoms. Cause us to consider everything with discernment and show us when it's time to let go of old ways. Help us to forget tradition when it interferes with safety the state of the nation. Teach us to cling to you instead of to our ideals. Break each of us of our prejudices as soon as we ask, Lord. Please, remind us all that we are all hypocrites and haters at some point, but by your grace, we are set free from those ways. Keep us ever mindful of the grace you have shown us so that we would be bold enough to show that grace to others. Let us be strict at the right times and lenient a the right times. Give us wisdom to discern those times.
For those who are indifference, break their hearts. Open their eyes to the hateful world they inhabit and remind them that if they don't have love, they have nothing. Show them their own sin, that they would not judge others so harshly. Convict their hearts about their indifference and reveal to them their true nature. Cause a wave of compassion to wash over this group of people, compassion for the hurting, the broken, and the lost. Set them into action to change things for the better, to make the country better, to seek out unity and reconciliation. Break their hearts for the oppressed.
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