My Thoughts on Racism and Injustice
Our nation continues to be in a lot of trauma and turmoil. Just as we feel we are coming out on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic, we have experienced the racial unrest, violence and tragedy that has taken place. I want to talk to you from my heart about that for a bit. I have waited to say anything about the violence against George Floyd and the resulting circumstances for a couple of reasons. First, my only influence and ability to change anything in America is through prayer and to influence those following me to pray. I also waited because, typically, emotional responses do more harm than good. So, I usually try to wait until my, and others’, emotions settle. I have found that wisdom doesn’t flow from emotion. In fact, emotions get in the way of wisdom. Healing doesn’t flow out of emotions, especially where anger and violence are involved. Emotions were not given to guide our decision-making. In fact, I always counsel people to never make a life-decision (something large in its consequences) when you are emotional. We should wait until our emotions calm down.
Let’s talk about anger. James 1:19-20 in the NASB says, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Was I angry when I saw George Floyd murdered? I was angry. I am still angry. Did I grieve? Yes. Did I shed tears as I watched it? Yes. I was truly appalled. However, I waited to give my response because scripture wisely teaches us to do so.
Racism is evil. I hate all forms of racism. I love all people of all races. I have tried to demonstrate that over the years. I have spent countless hours trying to demonstrate that across this nation. I have shed countless tears visiting many places to pray and deal with the past sins of this nation. I have participated in services and ceremonies dealing with past racial sins against African Americans and Native American peoples, among others. I have prayed in places where there were slave entry ports and other places of racial atrocities. I have spent a lot of money and a lot of time and a bunch of emotional energy to change this. It has broken my heart to see people on all sides of this issue be treated without respect.
I loathe all forms of injustice. I believe this is the heart of God. He hates injustice, as well. He hates abortion and the racism associated with that. Don’t forget that Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist and last year Planned Parenthood killed over 675,000 black babies. I despise that. I will continue to speak out against that. I will continue to speak out against those who approve of it and fund it. I despise human trafficking and the injustice in that. I hate the injustice of poverty. I find any form of injustice despicable. I think all of us should. I pray against injustice and I pray all of you are praying against injustice as well. I continue to ask God to heal this land. Continue with me.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:17; ESV)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
- Sit before the Lord and invite Him to do a heart check on you today. Is there anything in you that has engaged in racism or injustice? “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24; BSB)
- Pour your heart out to the Lord about any national issues that you are concerned about. He cares and He will listen to everything you are feeling about it.
- Let Him deal with any anger in you that is not righteous anger. Anger polarizes. It does not unite. Pray, “My anger does not achieve the righteousness of God. So, help me, Lord. Remove any unrighteous or purely emotional anger from me.”
- Invite Him to still your heart, your mind, and your emotions, so that you can hear Him ever more clearly. For “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7; NKJV)
- Ask Him for wisdom, for His wisdom is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17; ESV)
A prayer you can pray:
Lord, we come to You now and we pray for the family that Mr. George Floyd left behind. Comfort them in their sorrow. We pray for the Black community that has had one more thing happen in this that has opened up past wounds to cause them pain and anger. I pray that their grief would turn into something good and not something violent. I pray against racism in this nation, wherever it comes from and regardless of to whom it goes. It is a spirit. It’s a principality. It is a part of the kingdom of darkness that wants to steal, kill and destroy. Help us in this season to pull down this giant. Whether it’s against the Jew, the Black man, the Latino, the Asian or the White man, or anyone else, I pray against it. I pray that You help us through this season to dethrone tis spirit over this nation and elsewhere.
Give us wisdom to do that. Give us angelic help to do this. Send angels to deal with the anger that exists now. Let them bring Your peace. You have messenger angels to help people to hear and understand one another. Lord, give us voices that can address this issue. Let these voices carry compassion and express the desire to gain understanding. Bring us leaders that are able to bring healing and bring wisdom and strategy for change. I know You have these people ready, Lord. Bring them forward now. Give them favor and make their voices heard in the land. These are Your peacemakers. It is time for them to come forth in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today’s decree:
Let all racial injustice in America be loathed, and let this nation finally be made one.