Risking It All for Equality and Justice

“Throughout our history, our country has been made ever greater by citizens who risked it all for equality and justice. 100 years ago this summer, the women’s suffrage movement led Congress to pass the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. 

“In 1960, a thirst for justice led African American students to sit down at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was one of the very first civil rights sit-ins and it started a movement all across our nation.

“Clarence Henderson was 18-years-old when he took his place in history. Almost six decades later, he is here tonight in a seat of honor. Clarence, thank you for making this country a much better place for all Americans.  

“In 1963, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., stood here on these very steps [at the Lincoln Memorial and called on our nation to live out the ‘true meaning of its creed,’ and ‘let freedom ring’ for every citizen all across our land.” (President Donald J, Trump; Salute to America)

“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.” (Psalms 67:4; ESV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • Thank the Lord that He makes us One through the cross of Jesus. 
  • Declare, “No person or government can take away the equality that God has said is ours through the cross. We are equal as male and female. We are equal, though different races. We are equal despite our economic circumstances. Jesus died for us all just the same!”
  • Say, “The United States of America is a nation where struggles for justice and equality have had good results; not perfect, but in positive strides forward.”
  • Identificationally repent for times Christians limited or even persecuted others, following societal mores, instead of following scripture.
  • Ask the Lord to use His people to refine the atmosphere of  justice and equality in America. We should be the ones raising the standard high!

A prayer you can pray:

Father, You are the Creator of all. Jesus, You are the Savior. Holy Spirit, You are the unifier of Your Body, making us one, even as You are One. No person or government can take away the equality that You said is ours through the cross. We are equal as male and female. We are equal, though different races. We are equal despite our economic circumstances. Jesus, You died for us all just the same! We, Your Church, should be honoring of the equality of men and women, races and classes, more than any other group on earth. Yet, we have so often failed. We have followed generational patterns. We have honored society’s and the institutionalized church’s “rules”, instead of Your Word. We have even used Your Word to justify our prejudices and the limitations of others. Yet, the United States of America is a nation where struggles for justice and equality have had good results; not perfect, but we have managed to make positive strides forward. Father, forgive us and let us get the walls all the way down. Let us love one another with a holy and righteous love, that sets captives free. Jesus, we honor and embrace Your Word as Truth, and we will not defer from it. So, lead us, guide us, and direct us, Holy Spirit, to establish true justice and equality in this nation. We honor those who have gone before us and honor those doing their part now, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Today’s decree:

We honor those who risked it all for equality and justice in America!