We stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing unjust persecution, slander, and hatred simply because of their race and faith. The Word of God reminds us that the Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. *"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’"* (Psalm 91:1-2, WEB). The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but we know that Christ has already overcome the world, and no weapon formed against God’s people will prosper (John 16:33, Isaiah 54:17).
It is a grievous sin for anyone to bear false witness, to defame, or to harbor hatred in their hearts against those created in the image of God. The Bible is clear: *"You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt"* (Exodus 23:9, WEB). And again, *"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus"* (Galatians 3:28, WEB). The hatred and bias our African American brothers and sisters face is an affront to the unity we have in Christ. It is evil, and we must call it what it is—sin that must be repented of and rebuked in the name of Jesus.
We also take comfort in knowing that God sees all things and will bring justice. *"Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna"* (Matthew 10:28, WEB). The Lord is the righteous judge, and He will vindicate His people. He commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), but that does not mean we remain silent in the face of injustice. We are to expose the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11) and stand firm in the truth, knowing that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).
Let us pray with boldness and faith:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We lift up our African American brothers and sisters in Christ who are being targeted by the enemy through lies, slander, and hatred. Lord, You are a God of justice, and we ask that You rise up as their defender. Protect them from every scheme of the evil one, and let no weapon formed against them prosper. Surround them with Your angels, encamp around them, and deliver them from every snare of the fowler.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of racism, prejudice, and hatred that is at work in the hearts of those who seek to harm Your people. Expose the darkness, Lord, and bring conviction to those who are perpetrating these evil acts. Let them be confronted with the truth of their sin, and may they repent and turn to You for forgiveness. We pray that You would soften hearts and open eyes to see the dignity and worth of every person, created in Your image.
Lord, we ask for miraculous protection over these innocent men, women, and children. Guard their reputations, their families, and their futures. Let every false accusation be silenced, and let the truth prevail. Give them strength to forgive as You have forgiven us, and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. May they walk in the confidence that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, chosen by You, and covered by the blood of Jesus.
We declare that no hate crime, no slander, no scheme of the enemy will succeed against them. You, Lord, are their shield and their exceedingly great reward. Let Your light shine in the darkness, and may Your glory be revealed through their lives. We pray for unity in the body of Christ, that we would stand together against injustice and love one another as You have loved us.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would raise up godly leaders, both within the church and in the communities, who will speak out against these evils and work toward reconciliation and healing. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in this situation, as it is in heaven.
We thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers. We trust in Your faithfulness and Your power to bring about justice and protection. May Your name be glorified in all things. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
To our dear brothers and sisters who are facing this persecution: stand firm in the faith, knowing that the Lord is with you. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). You are not alone—the body of Christ stands with you, and we will continue to lift you up in prayer. The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Trust in Him, and He will bring you through this valley into a place of victory. God bless you.