Freedom for Everyone

Over the last few days I’ve felt deeply saddened by the hostilities in America, spilling over internationally, around the tragic death of George Floyd.
 
In the context of a prayer meeting this week, a friend told of how someone in their family had posted a comment on social media, only to find that a fellow member of their local church (not EBC) had responded with deeply-felt views to the contrary. Both points of view were sincerely expressed and had some validity but online chaos had ensued… and so we were asked to pray.
 
The issues involved in the current situation are so complex, and the feelings running so high, that it seems impossible for anyone to actually find a peaceful way forward.

I have wondered what to do. As a white, middle-class man, who has always lived in suburban England, I know I am not well-placed to really understand what it is like to feel the weight of racism. I can say that I have friends – and family – of all colours. I can say that some of my greatest heroes and admired leaders (Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama) were/are black. I remember having several long conversations with a black friend of mine about his experiences, and I feel a sense of outrage and deep sorrow whenever racism rears its ugly head.
 
There again, I know enough history to recognise that racism – and slavery – is not and has not always been perpetrated by white people. I can imagine – but only imagine – how hard a job being a police officer is and how much harder now. How must it feel to be judged by the colour of your skin, or by the type of uniform you wear? I can’t pretend to really know.

Martin Luther King famously spoke of how he had a dream in which his four children would “not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” In the same speech, he said “I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.”
 
America has come a long way since then but the journey towards fulfilment of that dream continues to be strewn with death – from that of MLK Jr. himself to the death of George Floyd – and with suspicion, fear and hatred.
 
I think that our response as Christians should be rooted in prayer, and not hostility. This morning, as I wondered about my own response, it occurred to me once again that I have at my disposal the most powerful weapon in the battle against injustice of all kinds – prayer.

In his first letter to his friend Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote this –
 
1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 to 6 (NLT)
 
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For,
 
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

 
So in wondering what I can do to respond, I find the answer in God’s living word, the bible. First of all, let’s pray. Let’s ask God to help, to intercede, to bring peace and reconciliation.
 
I believe in the power of prayer, and if you’re reading this, I guess you do too. Here’s a challenging question for us then. Have we, are we, praying about this desperately sad situation? If not, why not? I believe that my time is better spent praying – and exhorting others to pray – than in getting into bitter, and futile, arguments.
 
Earlier I mentioned that a friend of mine had asked for prayer about that online argument. We prayed. By the time the prayer meeting finished, a breakthrough had occurred. To God be the glory.
Church… let’s pray.

Every blessing

Simon

Simon Lace, 05/06/2020