Justice & Prayer: A Short Journal Entry in the Wake of Ferguson
by Alicia Renee on 11/24/14
I am sitting with the news surrounding the Ferguson decision, and am left feeling grieved, and sadly, not surprised by all I am reading and hearing. And as a Christian, the truth of God's word comes alive to me, even in times like these.
One thing I know is that God love justice, and injustice saddens him. He holds mankind accountable:
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act," (Proverbs 3:27).
Another thing I know is that people's hearts can turn to evil in times when justice is slow or absent:
"When a sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong," (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
I would then, encourage the grieving with the knowledge that God is our ultimate Source of justice. We do not depend on this world. We do not depend on our own vengeance. We depend on God. And God is "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion," (Ephesians 1:21).
I would also exhort mature believers in their prayer life. I would even exhort you to fast some days. Pray for this world. We are vessels of justice that can pull heaven down to earth (Matthew 16:19). The Bible commands us, "[Pray] for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life," (1 Timothy 2:2).
I am praying for the victims, for the oppressors, for the hurting, and for the authorities. Over all, Christ still reigns.
