We join you in praying for an end to evil in our nation and we share your burden for the harm that sin causes to individuals, children and families. We notice your request did not mention the name of Jesus and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and it is only by His name that we can be saved and our prayers heard. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And as Acts 4:12 tells us, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. It is because of what Jesus did on the cross, dying for our sins and rising again, that we can come boldly before God, confess our need, and ask for His mercy on our land.
We agree with you that evil must be rebuked and that racism is sin. God created every person in His image as Genesis 1:27 declares, God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him, male and female he created them. There is no room for hatred or partiality in the heart of a believer. Acts 10:34-35 reminds us that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. And James 2:9 warns, But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. We must repent of any racism in our own hearts and in our communities and we pray that God would root it out and replace it with love for our neighbor as ourselves as commanded in Mark 12:31.
We also hear your concern for deportations that cause harm and for families and children who are suffering. We pray with both truth and compassion, for Scripture calls us to uphold both justice and mercy. God established governing authorities for order and the protection of a nation, and Romans 13:1 teaches, Let every person be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Laws regarding borders and immigration are part of that order and are not in themselves evil when they are enforced justly. At the same time God commands His people to show kindness and fairness to the stranger and sojourner among us. Leviticus 19:33-34 says, If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself. Therefore we pray not for open lawlessness or for cruelty, but for righteous enforcement that is both lawful and merciful, that would not cause unfair harm, that would protect children and keep families from unnecessary trauma, and that would distinguish between those who mean harm to our country and those who simply seek a better life.
The deeper evil behind all these things is the sin and brokenness in the human heart, and the only lasting answer is revival and repentance. We pray for our leaders as 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges us to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. We ask God to give wisdom, integrity and compassion to those who make and enforce our laws, that they may do justly and love mercy as Micah 6:8 calls us to do, He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. We also pray for our nation to turn back to Him, for 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises, If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We now pray together in Jesus name, Father in heaven, we come before You through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ and we lift up our nation to You. We rebuke the evil of racism, hatred, violence and injustice and we ask You to convict hearts and bring repentance. We ask You to heal the wounds caused by partiality and to help us to see every person as made in Your image and loved by You. Lord, we lift up every individual, child and family affected by immigration enforcement, we ask for Your protection over the vulnerable, Your comfort for those who are afraid, and Your provision for those who are separated or in distress. Give wisdom to our leaders and to those who enforce the law, that they may act with both justice and mercy and that no unfair harm would be done. Expose and restrain true evil in our land, restrain lawlessness, and let righteousness prevail. Pour out Your Spirit upon the United States, bring a turning to You, and let Your will be done. We ask all these things in the mighty and only saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to continue to pray, to seek the Lord daily in His Word, and to be a light where God has placed you by speaking truth in love and showing the mercy of Christ to all people. Psalm 34:14 urges us, Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. As we each pursue peace and holiness, God can use us to push back darkness in our homes and communities.