Self-Reflection Sundays: Pray

This week I could honestly feel my blood boiling. I felt hate in my heart. On top of grieving the loss of two people I've known, I also grieved because of so much ignorance being posted by those claiming to not be racists. I've developed anger towards specific individuals. Black people are literally SCREAMING for our lives. The fact that some people still don't understand is mind-boggling. I am tired of trying to figure out why some people see the anger, sadness, hopelessness we're experiencing and would rather respond with hate and ignorance instead of sympathy and understanding. They'd rather reprimand us because they are uncomfortable instead of acknowledging the underlying issue.

Fighting against people is exhausting. Seeing people in my own community mocking, belittling our struggles has been upsetting. Bigger than one event, we are against systems that see us as less than human; see us as inferior, not worthy of being treated with decency and justice, not worthy of living. I'm tired of asking those who insist on sharing opposing arguments, why; why you're so bent on retaliating to our offense in offensive manners; why everything we go through has to have a rebuttal, why injustice is met with disregard, and a lot of hate and rhetoric. It's too much to combat it with words. I've had to unfollow people because you get to a point where you realize your peace is at stake, and there aren't enough logical arguments to change someone's heart who is sold on being against.

Through it all, these two encouraging scriptures came to mind:
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. (Psalm 61:1-3 KJV)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)

The world is an evil place. Who knows if equity and equality is even an achievable prize in our lifetime. What I do know is that heaven is a definite prize and not only do I want to win it, I want others to win it as well. That's the ultimate goal for my life.

Although I've seen many actions, I decided to pause and figure out what my next response should be. Of course, I give myself space to feel and heal. But protecting my peace also means not turning to hate, which is where I felt my heart leaning. There are actions I have taken; responding to specific comments in an effort to educate, signing petitions, voting, supporting Black businesses, etc. But along with these actions, I can not neglect the spiritual maturity that I need to strengthen during this time. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. We protest, we sign petitions, we cry, we vote, we run for office, we teach, we mentor, we encourage, we comfort, we strategize. WE SEEK GOD. He is still on the throne. And at the end of the day, all that I do for justice means nothing if I neglect offering Jesus. I have to continue to pray because the world needs Jesus.

Which is why I want to gather 24 people for one day (24 hours) to pray. There is a need for peace for the community of Blacks who are beyond tired, the non-Blacks who are realizing a need for transformation in their minds and actions, reform of the justice system, political system, education system. We need prayers of protection for protestors, protection for Blacks in general at a time where we feel like there's literally nothing we can do without our lives being in danger. We need prayer for salvation of those who will continue to have hate in their hearts, we need prayer for intervention so that injustice and murder will cease. So much! So for one day, I'd like to pray. This is not to say stop doing everything else. This is not to say just pray. This is to say, Pray! It works.

If you wish to be a part, click the link below and pick an hour block. For that hour, you can pray for the needs of the country and the Black community, for protection, for lives to be saved, for peace, for healing, for comfort of those who lost loved ones unjustly, etc. Let's come together: Wednesday, July 1, 2020!

24-Hour Prayer

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