Brittany Henry | Worship Leader & Free Lance Writer | @BHMtweetz
White Christians supported black and brown Christians on a prayer walk for peace and justice.
The bond of unity amongst believers can not be broken and the spirit of blindness in the white evangelical church has been shaken.
“We know God that you hate hands that shed innocent blood. The blood of George Floyd cries out and comes up before you. The blood of the innocent murdered in our streets comes up before you,” said a white Christian attendee who prayed.
Some people in the peaceful gathering prayed with her saying, “Amen” in agreement. One of the black women shouted out during and after her prayer saying, “Yes! Call it out! Pray that prayer lady. I give you two high fives.”
The black community of believers in Christian churches have felt the weight of the violence against blacks in the United States and constantly wrestle with the physical manifestation of evil against people of color.
Black Christians want to respond as ambassadors of Jesus and know that it looks like more than prayer gatherings. They are hurt and angry about the silence of their white brothers and sisters who feel it’s too political to call out the sin of those in power while they groan under the tyranny of unjust authorities.
They are also hurt and tired of other white Christians refusing to acknowledge that prejudice and systemic racism exists.
The church’s response to the excessive force used against peaceful protesters and unrighteousness done to people of color doing everyday tasks is essential to physical change and healing.
Worshippers and intercessors are needed to help push back against the source of the physical wickedness in the earth. However, God requires truth in the inward parts and many black Christians feel that means acknowledging the system isn’t merely broken but was actually created in a way that enables the oppression of people of color.
“This is not political. We want to gather and pray. That is all we want to do here today,” Pastor Andie Cork, Sr. of Mount Peniel COGIC said before he led the group on to Caroline street for the prayer walk.
Together, Christians from all different denominations and nations, walked side by side down the street praying the Lord’s prayer and singing songs of worship. The public and brutal death of George Floyd opened the door for needed conversations and for palatable hearts willing not just to pray but also to listen.