The Christian Believer's Response to Injustice and #BlackLivesMatter
#ICANTBREATHE
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
by Yolande Morris
It’s become increasingly clear over the last few days, years and centuries that black lives do not matter to many people in America. But here at Wit + Grace Magazine, the lives of the men, women, and children in the Black community, of which I am a member, matters to us. More importantly, it matters to God, so it should matter to all believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, for hundreds of years, the Christian Church has been complicit in the oppression of many people groups around the world. But the opposite is also true – every great social movement and revolution of our time has been led by brave Christians who dared to stand up against the rulers and political leaders of their time to say – Enough is Enough. And, our faith shines brightest when we stand on the right side of history and justice and speak up for the oppressed.
The Gospel is truly good news when we align our values with not just the fruits of the Spirit but God’s heart for humanity. It’s evangelism in action. And we have great examples in the Bible and in our history books of those who have raised their voices in times like these.
Our History
Esther – who was influenced by Mordecai, spoke up “for such a time as this” to save the Jewish people from Haman’s plot to kill them.
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” - Esther 4:14
William Wilberforce – a man of faith -- He was influenced by Thomas Clarkson to lobby the British Parliament for the abolition of the slave trade. He spoke up for 18 years until slavery was officially abolished throughout the British empire in 1833.
Similarly, in America, the early abolitionists were white, religious leaders, and later on, escaped slaves, who sent petitions to Congress, ran for political office and inundated people of the South with anti-slavery literature. Leaders like William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony was inspired by what was called the Second Great Awakening where they were encouraged to make a personal connection with God, rather than relying on a minister.
So it’s no surprise that at a time like this when so many Christians are at home, spending time with Jesus and building a deeper connection with him rather than spending their time burned out by religion that God is speaking to hearts and minds and reawakening them to Gospel message and – Love thy neighbor as thyself.
The Abolitionist Movement paved the way for the Women’s Rights Movement, where many prominent women like Susan B. Anthony raised their voices in support of women’s rights to vote. And later on, the Civil Rights Movement gave us prominent figures like Martin Luther King, Jr, James Reeb, Leslie Dunbar, Ralph Abernathy, and so many other white and black religious leaders who spoke out against Jim Crow and other oppressive laws.
We are the body of Christ – his beloved bride – our response to injustice should always be to lament, pray, and seek justice.
Our Lament
(Bold and Italics added where words have been substituted from the original Biblical words and applied directly to this present suffering — Lamentations 2: 11, 18-19)
My eyes fail because of tears,
My spirit is greatly troubled;
My heart is poured out on the earth
Because of the destruction of Black Lives in this country,
When men, women, and children are gunned down
In the streets of the cities across America.
Our hearts cry out to the Lord,
“Black Lives Matter to us because they matter to you, God,
Let our tears run down like a river day and night;
Give us no relief,
Let our eyes have no rest.
[We] “Arise, cry aloud in the night
At the beginning of the night watches;
Pour out our hearts like water
Before the presence of the Lord;
Lift up our hands to Him
For the lives of those in the Black community
Who are murdered
At the head of every street.”
Our Prayer
This is our prayer to you, Lord, for those in our community who are suffering at the hands of injustice by those sworn to protect them:
“Lord, we come before you grieved over the senseless loss of lives in the Black community. We remember your command in Micah 6:8 “ The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: ‘See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.’” We are crying out for justice, Lord, for everyone who has been unjustly killed by those in authority. We can no longer look away but we must see justice done for our Black brothers and sisters. We will not stop praying and petitioning our political leaders and the judicial system until justice is done. Lord, teach us how to love one another. Teach us how to value the lives of those who don’t look like us but are your children, nevertheless. Change the hearts and minds of our leaders and those in authority today, Lord - give them your heart and mind for others but first, change me.”
And, finally, let’s stand together and united in taking actionable steps to stop the senseless deaths – for such a time as this.
Our Next Steps
JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD - (thanks @apologeticsinthecity for the info)
1. OPERATION FLOOD THE MAILBOX
Email citizeninfo@hennepin.us
Fax (612) 348 - 9712
Call (612) 348 - 5550
Mail Hennepin County Attorney/C-2000 Government Center/300 South Sixth Street / Minneapolis, MN 55487
Make it brief - sample:
Hello, my name is Richelle and I am a concerned citizen. I am emailing/faxing/calling/mailing for the immediate arrest of all the officers (not just one) responsible for the death of George Floyd.
2. OWN THE HASHTAG
Start using #ChristiansforFloyd if you can so the youth (and adults) inside and outside the body of Christ know (some of) the church and God cares about these issues.
3. SIGN THE PETITIONS @Change.org
Click the link here: https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd?source_location=topic_page
4. Provide and/or find a SAFE SPACE TO VENT
- Pastors identify mental health professionals in your congregation and host a community grieving with your congregation.
- Laypeople start the conversation in your circles of influence.
OTHER WAYS TO TAKE ACTION IN YOUR CITY/STATE
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLITICIAN
Contact your Congressman or Senator — PHONE CALLS ARE BEST.
Introduce yourself as a constituent: Tell them where you live in their district or state.
Tell them that you are appalled by injustices against unarmed black men by police officers in your state and states across America and that you demand justice.
CONTACT YOUR PASTOR OR RELIGIOUS LEADER
Tell him/her that you are appalled by injustices against unarmed black men by police officers in your state and states across America and that you demand justice. You would like the church to not just pray about it but actively address the sin of racism in your community and this country.
