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.
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