It is with great disdain and disgust as I, my family and this ministry grieve over the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia and others in our nation caused by hatred and bigotry, and by a supreme failure to see beauty in the diversity of God’s creation, each one of us made perfect in His sight and in His image. Far too many people are lost in their rage, bound in sin, and have become tools of the enemy of our souls to facilitate his purposes on this earth to “steal, kill and destroy” and to divide God’s people. They are wretched sinners just like you and me, in desperate need of God’s mercy and grace. 

When I begin to point my finger of shame at politicians, the press, counterproductive social movements and hate-mongers more concerned about spewing their anger and manipulating for their own agendas than for the good of others, my finger quickly points to the church of Jesus Christ who has for decades relied far too heavily on political and social movements in the kingdom of this world to accomplish the goals of justice, the preservation of morality and the advancement of the Christian message. Sin cannot by legislation or judicial process be removed from our hearts or our society. It cannot be eradicated by any attempt of men or women on this earth without the blood of Jesus Christ and the empty tomb being at the center of every effort!

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways (emphasis mine), then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The ONLY thing that will heal this nation is for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ to become desperate enough to pray, hungry enough for change to fast, broken enough to repent, and bold enough to place God and His ways above our own. Then and only then can we be a light and hope to others desperate for truth, healing and grace.

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma”  (Ephesians 4:29-5:2 NASB)

”Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others”  (Philippians 2:1-4 NASB)

And in the words of Jesus Himself in John 13:34-35 –

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Oh God, forgive us for not submitting our emotions, fears and rage to Your mercy and grace. Forgive us for placing our hope in the institutions of man rather than in You alone! “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). We throw ourselves before You at Your feet. Cleanse us from every form of racism, hatred, bitterness and indifference. Help us through Your Holy Spirit to walk pure and holy before You and to become the agents of healing and restoration. Help us to follow in Your footsteps to place the needs of others above our own, to love as You love, and to forgive as You forgive! Help us to reject all claims of hell and every lie from this world that would divide us. Help us instead to hold fast to Your unchanging, everlasting Truth! Help us to be the first to reach out our hands in love, in grace, in healing and in forgiveness. Change the climate in our nation. Help us to reveal You, in our actions and reaction, in our thoughts, speech and motives, as the only true hope of this world!

We pray for our nation. We pray for those wounded by hate and for those propagating it. We pray for lies to be cast aside and truth – God’s Truth – to rise again among us. Forgive us for removing You from our courthouses, schools and public places. We suffer the consequences! We place You in the most important place – as Lord of our hearts, minds and future. Guide us closer to Your heart, and prepare us for Your soon return! You are coming soon, Jesus. We see the evidence so clearly around us. Help us, Holy Spirit, to be faithful to you and to one another.

And thank You, God, for Your grace, for there is always hope when we look to You!