Revered Mark Crear, Ph.D., has more than 15 years of experience under his belt in Racial Reconciliation, Multicultural Counseling and Life, Relationship, and Organizational Performance coaching. With this experience, Crear writes about promoting and fostering racial reconciliation and unity among the people of America in his book, Peace Be Still 978-1-950088-90-4. The book is a guide for people in influential positions to help spread the word of racial reconciliation and unity. Crear provides his readers with valuable tools, real-life experiences, and statistical facts to support his stance. He also writes about the role churches can play in fostering racial reconciliation and unity. The book is well-written and direct, it provides readers with all the necessary information regarding the topic.
It is important to understand the powerful role our churches can play in this situation. The Bible tells us that we were all created in God’s image, yet we are not treated as such in this world. We are judged by our skin color wherever we go. We are targeted and stereotyped constantly. After suffering from slavery, oppression, and racism for centuries, we have not been given the chance to heal and recover from the generational trauma. Brentwood Baptist provides believers with passages from the Bible and prayers for racial unity at a time like in the U.S.
· PSALM 10
Psalm 9 and 10 are cries of praise to God and cries of help from God (narrated by David). As you read Psalm 10, ask the Lord to be near to victims. In verses 1-2 and 16-18, the victims of oppression cry out in faith for God’s presence, believing He is near.
· MICAH 6:6-8
Micah delivered God’s demand for repentance from the people of Judah. Rather than trying to bring what we have before God, He wants us to bring our hearts that are ready to embrace justice, faithfulness, and humility. Pray for the Lord to build these three things in your relationship with Him and others in your community.
· 1 JOHN 3:11-18
Christ commands that we love. Today’s passage allows you to test both your heart and your life. We are to have a heartfelt love for others but also live out the love of Christ. In a world filled with hatred, pray about how you will act in love.
· ACTS 10:34-43
In Acts 10, the apostle Peter learned from God that the gospel was not just for one set of people—the Jews. Rather, God’s message of redemption is for everyone—the Gentiles as well. Ask God to reveal any favoritism you have in your heart. Seek to have His heart of love and redemption for all people.
· ROMANS 12:14-19
As Christians, we must stand with those who weep and mourn. Even though they may have a completely different set of circumstances in life, we’re to be humble and empathetic to their pain. Pray that you will embody God’s grace toward those who are grieving injustice and the violence from it.
· PSALM 5
People are looking for refuge. In the face of anger and violence, they need a place where they can turn for grace and comfort. The psalmist cries out to God for a place to hide. But, it’s also a cry for God to strike down those who do evil. As you pray today for the oppressed to have peace, pray also for God to stop those who do evil.
· REVELATION 7:9
In the throne room of God, there are people from every part of the world. It shows that the eternal kingdom of God will be filled with all kinds of people—some who are like you and some who are not like you. The church of today should reflect the kingdom that lasts forever. Pray that God will help you to embrace people from every language and nation just as He has done.
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