I’m sure you’ve seen the news, read the headlines, and heard the reports. Several cities in the USA are on fire, not from nature but from man. It’s not trees that are burning but buildings, homes, and businesses.  Violence is what’s raging. Those with the torches say they are responding to injustices done against them or those like them. Those under attack say they are innocent bystanders who have been sucked into someone else’s hatred.

What should be our response?

The Christian in me says

Violence begets violence; peace begets peace

The parent in me says

I don’t care who started it, knock it off both of you!

The preacher in me says

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1 Peter 3:10-12

Pray for America’s cities.

Pray for those who are innocent. Pray for those who are guilty. Pray for those who seek to keep the peace. Pray for those who abuse their power as officers of the Law. Pray for those who seek for reasons to commit violent acts. Pray for those who are angry and hurt and think that hatred and violence is the only solution. Pray for those watching at home, that they don’t jump to conclusions, stereotypes, or thoughts of (more) hatred, thus perpetuating the cycle. Pray for those who are innocent and caught in the middle of this mess. Pray for your brethren who are in the thick of it too.

Above all pray for peace, for that is of God.

~ Matthew