… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV).
On Monday, August 14, just two days after the deadly protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, I posted this on Facebook: “The challenge for most yesterday was deciding how to include Charlottesville in a meaningful way in their church services (prayer, litany or even in the message). But today it is living out what we prayed or talked about with how we love our neighbor and help reconcile our society to God and each other. My prayer is we have the courage to do both.”
The next day, on Tuesday, August 15, The Wesleyan Church prayed across North America at 2:00 p.m. (EST). District superintendents, Headquarters employees, pastors and lay leaders all responded to the call to prayer.
Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. (EST), a prayer call occurs led by the Multiethnic Ministries movement within Church Multiplication and Discipleship. On August 15, we experienced the largest prayer call gathering this year. We believe participation had a great deal to do with what happened in Charlottesville this past weekend.
May our continued prayers move us to action and may we be guided by the Holy Spirit to call on the name of the Lord, humble ourselves, seek his face and repent so our land can be healed. Charlottesville could easily happen where each of us live. It did for the Charlottesville residents.
May we be proactive and not reactive to speak up and not be silent, to stand up and not be inactive so that those around us will recognize us by our love.
You are invited to join us each Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. (EST) by registering here. You will also have access to our monthly prayer newsletter.
