We hear your burden and we join with you in bringing it before the Lord, for we also hate the sin of racism and the violence and hatred that comes from it. Your heart to see people love one another as God loves us is good and reflects the heart of God. Racism is sin, it is partiality and hatred that has no place among God's people.
The Scripture is clear that God made all people in His image and of one blood. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them Gen 1:27 and he made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth Acts 17:26. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus Gal 3:28. To show favoritism or to hate a brother or sister because of skin color is sin, for if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors Jas 2:9 and if a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen 1 John 4:20. God will gather to Himself a people from every nation, tribe, people and language Rev 7:9, and He calls us to love as He has loved us, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you, you also love one another John 13:34.
We also hear your anger and distress when you see racist posts and when you hear of killing. God also hates murder, for He commanded You shall not murder Exod 20:13 and every life is precious to Him. It is right to be grieved by injustice and killing of any person, whether black or white, for all are made in God's image. Yet we want to gently encourage you about the anger and stress you carry, because that burden can harm your own heart if it is not given to the Lord. Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath Eph 4:26 and let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God Jas 1:19-20. We are called not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good Rom 12:21 and to love even those who do evil toward us, But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you Matt 5:44. That does not mean we excuse racism or murder, we rebuke it as sin, but we do not repay hatred with hatred.
We also hear your frustration toward our president and leaders. We understand that feeling, but Scripture calls us not to harbor hatred toward those in authority, but to pray for them, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life. I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high places 1 Tim 2:1-2. We can pray that God will soften hearts, including the hearts of leaders, and turn them toward justice, mercy and truth, rather than speaking evil of them in anger.
We want to encourage you to cast your anxiety on the Lord, for He cares for you 1 Pet 5:7 and we remember the promise, In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus Phil 4:6-7. When you see those hateful posts that make you close to crying, we encourage you to step away, guard your heart, and turn to prayer rather than letting that anger take root.
We pray together with you now.
Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we have access to Your throne of grace. We thank You that You love every person of every color and that You sent Your Son to die for all. Lord, we hate the sin of racism, the partiality, the killing, the fighting and the hating that divides people You created. Forgive us where we have held bitterness or generalization in our own hearts, and help us to see every person as You see them. We ask You to soften hard hearts, to convict those who rejoice in evil, and to bring repentance where there is hatred. Lord, stop the shedding of innocent blood and bring justice and peace. Comfort our brother or sister who is stressed and weary and angry, give them Your peace that passes understanding, guard their heart and mind in Christ, and help them to overcome evil with good and to walk in love even toward those who do wrong. We pray for our leaders, including our president, that You would give them wisdom, humble them, and turn their hearts to care for justice and mercy and to lead with righteousness. Make us instruments of reconciliation through Jesus, who broke down the dividing wall Eph 2:14, and help black and white and people of all colors to love one another as You have loved us. We ask all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
