While We Await a Verdict…

Dear family in Christ, 

Today the jury for the Derek Chauvin trial in Minneapolis begins deliberations, after which a verdict will be announced.  This provides an important moment in time for us as Christ followers to pray!  Some pastor friends in Minneapolis have been praying from the day George Floyd was killed, and now they are inviting Christ followers everywhere to join them in praying in this unique window of opportunity so that God’s people will unite their voices in earnest prayer, not just in my original home state of Minnesota, but in my now-home state of Maryland — and all across the nation. In the days before us, each of us has an opportunity to measure carefully our words and actions. Some are quick to minimize prayer, saying it is not enough. Indeed, much needs to be done. But people who know the living God understand that human solutions are never enough. And the most important — and first work — we must do is invite God’s presence and power through prayer.  Instead of reacting, let us be proactive in praying. Here are some prayer points we’re being asked to share in: 

As we wait for the jury to speak…

PRAY FOR GOD TO MOVE

• Pray that people everywhere will come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ
• Pray that renewal and revival will spark and spread among Christ followers everywhere, and that churches will shine and thrive in this time
• Pray for broken families to be healed in Jesus’ name
• Pray for children, students, and young people to be drawn to Christ amidst the many alluring voices  
• Pray for our government and leaders

PRAY FOR INTEGRITY & JUSTICE

• Pray for the integrity of the judicial system
• Pray for legal justice to be administered with integrity 
• Pray for law enforcement officers, and for policing forces to reflect noble moral authority 
• Pray for God’s justice to reign powerfully, ruling in the hearts of people from the courtroom to the streets
• Pray to become a person of mercy, justice, humility and love

PRAY FOR UNITY

• Pray for the end of racism
• Pray for grace & wisdom to hear and understand the pain of others
• Pray for true repentance, the power of forgiveness, and ultimate reconciliation
• Pray for unity among races, classes, and all people within and between churches
• Pray for pastors and Christians to demonstrate the power of the gospel by joining together across racial lines

PRAY FOR PEACE & PROTECTION

• Pray against all forms of violence 
• Pray against spiritual wickedness and outside agitators
• Pray for safety, respectful, and civil calm in our cities
• Pray for protestors and law enforcement officers to serve honorably and safely 
• Pray for biblical peace to fill our communities 
• Pray for God’s will to be done in our own lives, and among Christ’s people.  

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Let’s put our minds on God’s word: Philippians 4:6-8 (NLT): Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

And please, whether you understand it or not, please allow our black and brown brothers and sisters the chance to grieve —  no matter what happens. Every human being is in a different reality on this issue, what we can’t do is to expect anyone else to be where we are. Our differences are a part of what makes us human – and our compassion and love for those differences are what make us Christian! Thank you for praying with me. I love you. 

Ben