Monday, September 18th, 2017

Over the weekend in Richmond, VA, only about 60 miles east of Charlottesville, another protest over Confederate statues occurred with both sides of the debate represented. This was a highly anticipated event, with local police planning for weeks in advance how to manage the crowds, and the Richmond community nervously anticipating the day. In the shadow of the horrible events of Charlottesville only one month before, the city was on edge. In the midst of that anxiety, many rightly turned to prayer. Those prayers were answered, as the protests occurred without violence. The Bible speaks directly about prayer being the cure for anxiety, as Paul instructed the church at Philippi to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." This weekend in Richmond was a miracle, brought about by earnest prayer by countless people, especially when juxtaposed with Charlottesville last month and even the riots in St. Louis this weekend. Prayer brings peace, both to the pray-er and the pray-ee. The sooner we as a nation embrace prayer as the means for change, the sooner real change will occur in our communities. Give praise to God today for his grace in Richmond and pray for peace in our communities.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -- Philippians 4:6 ESV