A Call to Prayer for Our Nation

The images are haunting...violent death becomes a familiar observance as cell phone cameras capture and transmit the carnage. In the past we have seen only the remnants, the aftermath of such violence in the form of a blanket-draped body, a blood-stained sidewalk, a discarded weapon. In the last 72 hours we have seen shots fired, bloody wounds, and death as they happen. From Louisiana to Minnesota to Texas, from cellphones to tablets to television screens, we have witnessed, almost as if we were standing beside or riding along with the principals involved as the violence and death played out. This is the reality of 21st century communication...access to the moment, wherever, whenever, whatever.  

How do we respond to what we see...to what we now witness? Some of us will turn away as if ignoring such brutality makes it disappear. Some of us will rush to judgement as if the narrow slice of what we see tells the whole story. Some of us will allow the anger and frustration to feed our already prejudiced perspectives, confirming what we believe we already know. What will you do with what you have seen?

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This isn't a hedge against the world that frees us from social and cultural responsibility. Rather, it is the empowerment of the Spirit of God that prepares us to engage this world with a strength and purpose beyond ourselves. 

It is easy to become desensitized to the violence and angry rhetoric that bombard us in many forms on a daily basis. It is tempting to give in to the fear and hatred that seems to sanction such violence. It is the calling of discipleship, however, to faithfully follow the way of Christ in reacting to such violence, anger, and devaluation of life. All lives matter, at least that is the message of incarnation. If we believe that to be true, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political perspective should not devalue another in our eyes. Jesus defined "neighbor" in the broadest of terms, unbounded by prejudicial perspectives. Discipleship calls us to do the same.

Will you join me in a time of prayer for our nation? I would invite you to join me this Sunday morning at 9 in the sanctuary to ask for God's guidance and wisdom in these challenging days. We will pray for our leaders, the families and communities broken by this violence, and this nation, made up of many faces and perspectives. I ask you to vary your Sunday morning routine a bit, and in doing so, join brothers and sisters in Christ in this redemptive work of prayer. Our prayer time will conclude in time for Sunday School.

I believe that prayer is word and action. It is seeking God and then walking in the Christ way. Hatred and violence will not be impacted by people of faith unless we pray and live within the sound of God's voice. Let us, as Christ-followers, be faithful to the task. 

Jim Abernathy

P.S. If you are unable to join us at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, will you pause wherever you are and pray for our nation? Thanks for your consideration.