Racism is sin. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:27, “God created human beings in his own image.” This means all humans are to be treated with the God-given dignity they deserve and were created to enjoy as God’s image-bearers.

But when one denies another their rights or violates their freedoms because of their race, it is sin. Racism grieves God’s heart. It destroys lives, communities, and the perfect order of heaven.

As we continue to witness the unfair and oppressive treatment of African American people in America, we are reminded that the battle against racism isn’t merely a moral one but a spiritual one. It requires a spiritual response. We need God’s grace and power to:

• heal centuries of systemic injustice
• destroy the demonic stronghold of racism and
• unify us in a spirit of love and repentance.

Join us as we pray for God to rid the world of racism and to restore lives and communities traumatized by discrimination.

5 Ways to pray. Pray for:

1. God’s justice. Ask God to bring forth his justice on the earth. Pray for corrupt systems of injustice to be dismantled and for God to rebuild new systems that honor and serve all people equally.

   “The LORD is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair.” – Deuteronomy 32:4 (GNT)

2. Healing. Ask God to emotionally and spiritually heal those oppressed and mistreated because of the color of their skin. Pray for wounds of trauma to be healed through the power of Scripture

   “I will make you well again; I will heal your wounds, though your enemies say, ‘Zion is an outcast; no one cares about her.’ I, the LORD, have spoken.” – Jeremiah 30:17 (GNT)

3. Courageous conversations. Pray for a spirit of humility to have honest race conversations across communities, government, and all sectors of society. Pray for conversations that transform communities and shift our national discourse.

   “My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.” – James 1:19 (CEV)

4. Repentance and forgiveness. Pray for a godly sorrow over the historic devastation racism has wrought in communities.

   “if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (GNT)

5. Churches. Pray for churches to lead the way in pursuing racial healing with faith and love. Pray for churches already leading multi-racial Bible study groups using a guide called Loving the Neighbor Who Doesn’t Look Like You and others using trauma healing ministry as a way to address deep wounds of trauma

   Let us be conconcerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.” – Hebrews 10:24 (GNT)