After a Racial Tragedy, People Will Mock Those who Prioritize Prayer. Pray Anyway.

by | Jun 4, 2020

Editor’s Note: Something we often say at U?WP is that “if we want to see racial justice, we must do more than pray, but we cannot do less.” This comes in the spirit of what civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer said: “You can pray until you faint, but unless you get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap.” Amen! We understand why people think prayer is not enough, especially when it’s used as a platitude from folks offering hollow “thoughts and prayers.” But when we’re talking about real prayer—approaching the throne of grace with confidence in the name and authority of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are talking about something powerful and necessary. And so Francis Grimké said: “It is a serious matter…when any body of people, however few, betake themselves not to revolt but to prayer.” Our sister Karen Ellis powerfully exhorted us to take up this serious matter. With her permission, we’ve produced the exhortation here to help you deal with Racial Tragedy.


 

People will mock those who prioritize prayer.

Gather and pray anyway.

Gathering to pray with people of peace is life-giving.

Kingdom-centered prayers are life-giving.

Healing prayers for the Church and her unity are life-giving.

Prayers for the fearful are life-giving.

Prayers for peaceful officers and military are life-giving.

Prayers for business owners to be made whole is life-giving.

Prayers for the criminal elements, looters and opportunists are life-giving.

Prayers for those who lust and plan for violence and destruction are life-giving.

Prayers for hearts in cities, suburbs, and rural towns alike are life-giving.

Prayers to see how God is moving in the midst of destruction are life-giving.

Prayers for civic leaders are life-giving.

Prayers to quell violence and destruction are life-giving.

People will mock you for prioritizing prayer. They will mock you for organizing concerted times prayer together with other Christians.

Expect to be mocked by people outside the church and, surprisingly, by people inside the Church.

Don’t let that stop you.

Pray anyway.

 


To hear more from Karen Ellis, listen to our interview with her here.


 

Recent POdcasts

The Role of Prayer with Carl and Karen Ellis

The Role of Prayer with Carl and Karen Ellis

Austin and Isaac were blessed to be joined in the lab by Carl and Karen Ellis. Carl is a Professor at RTS, Atlanta, and Karen is a writer and lecturer. Together, they lead the Edmiston Center for the Bible and Ethnicity. We wanted to have Karen on to teach us about...

read more
Our Identity in Christ with Dr. Robert Smith, Jr.

Our Identity in Christ with Dr. Robert Smith, Jr.

Isaac sits down with a living legend, Dr. Robert Smith, Jr. Dr. Smith is Professor of Preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Smith is a black man who has lived through racism and division, but has not allowed it to define him. As Isaac...

read more
Who is Discipling You on Race?

Who is Discipling You on Race?

Isaac and Austin are joined in the studio by Josh Chatman, Jared Torrence, DeMyron Haynes, and John Talley. As we were sitting around and talking with the mics off, someone asked the question, "who do you think is discipling most people on race, and what role does the...

read more

Upcoming Events

Isaac-Adams-United-We-Pray-speaking-at-an-event

Click Here to View Now

Recent Articles

The Readiness Spectrum

The Readiness Spectrum

Diversity is such an amazing aspect of our society. Many institutions, schools, workplaces, and even churches are coming to understand the value of diversity and are seeking to hire minorities for leadership positions. There are many reasons why there has been an...

read more
Sitting At The Wrong Lunch Table | Segregation then and now

Sitting At The Wrong Lunch Table | Segregation then and now

In her book Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria? (New York: Basic, 1997), psychologist Beverly Daniel Tatum discusses the concept of racial identity development. First published nearly 25 years ago, she sought to help readers understand the...

read more
I Don’t Date Asians

I Don’t Date Asians

“I’m not attracted to Asian guys.” It’s a simple phrase, seemingly innocent enough, but many Asian Americans have heard it or have had similar sentiments expressed towards them. And they certainly can resonate with the stinging pain that such sentiments bring about....

read more

We’d love to hear what you think about this article. Submit your feedback by clicking here to contact us.

Author

  • K.A. Ellis

    K.A. Ellis is the Director of the Edmiston Center for the Study of the Bible and Ethnicity, where Kingdom prayer is a cornerstone of the curriculum. Her primary area of research is Theological Ethics and Christian Perseverance Studies, exploring thoughts and practices of Christian communities at home and abroad who persevere under cultural hostility.

Related Articles

I Don’t Date Asians

I Don’t Date Asians

“I’m not attracted to Asian guys.” It’s a simple phrase, seemingly innocent enough, but many Asian Americans have heard it or have had similar sentiments expressed towards them. And they certainly can resonate with the stinging pain that such sentiments bring about....

read more

Stay Connected