Last night, we held a virtual prayer gathering for our church to lament the injustice and violence we’ve seen in the past week (and the past many years, decades and centuries in our country) and to petition the Lord to intervene. 

Here are some of the things we encouraged people to pray about, alternating between Petition (asking) and Lamenting:

Petition the Lord for Peace and Safety

Pray:

• For Protests to be peaceful and yet powerful - that change might come through them

• Against people purposely stirring up violence amidst the protests

• For officials and Police officers to restore safety in a way that promotes peace and to treat people with dignity, respect and equality

• For officers and officials to be safe themselves

• For a return to a sense of safety for ourselves and our children

Lament Injustice and Violence

Lament:

• The murder of innocent black and brown men, women and children

• The appropriate anger that undergirds the protests we’ve seen — that we have rightful cause for anger over injustice 

• The lack of safety people of color have felt for centuries in our country

• The lack of safety in our neighborhoods due to looting and rioting

• That peaceful protests are being marred by violence and theft 

• The ways we’ve been silent against injustice, enabled it, and participated in it in small and large ways

• The systems, processes and priorities that disadvantage and oppress people of color

Petition for Reconciliation, Restoration and Justice

Pray:

• For racial reconciliation in our city and country

• That those who have done wrong would confess their wrong, pay the penalty and make restitution

• For justice for George Floyd and all who’ve gone before him

• That the leaders of our communities and country work hard for reconciliation and peace

• For the restoration of safety and work for employees who are now scared to go to work or unable to go  

• For restoration of the businesses that have been damaged and stolen from, particularly small businesses 

• For awakening where we and those around us have turned a blind eye to injustice

• For gentleness and peacemaking in our own hearts

• For Christ to be our hope and power for change