Pray for Dallas

John 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 12:19 English Standard Version (ESV)

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:9New English Translation (NET Bible)

Conduct in Love

9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.

Matthew 5:44 New English Translation (NET Bible)

44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:18 New English Translation (NET Bible)

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

1 Peter 4:19 New English Translation (NET Bible)

19 So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” 

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My heart is grieved by the Dallas shootings, especially as Dallas was once my home.  My heart is grieved for the lives lost, the innocence stolen, the rights trampled upon, the evil, horror, the suffering.  Injustice should never be an excuse to act upon your own evil impulses.  God, who well knew how black our hearts could be, instructed us that vengeance belongs to Him.  It is not ours to take.  We are not gods, but in our foolishness we try to be.   We are instead God's creation, made in His image, redeemed by His Son.  He can be trusted with our lives and our souls.  Yes, speak against evil and wrongdoing, work for justice, seek peace, show mercy, hate evil, love goodness, live in peace.  

Switchfoot just released a new song, "Looking For America."  The lyrics are appropriate.  

"Looking For America"
(feat. Lecrae)

[Lecrae & Switchfoot:]
Land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows that we need plenty change
‘Cause plenty chains in the past leaving deep scars
But when the sun come down we gonna be stars

The doors are locked where they once stood open
A wound of fear where we once stood hoping
The shattered glass where the bullets broke in
I'm looking for the place that I was born
I'm looking for a way to fix what's torn
I'm looking for America

I'm looking for America

Yeah, you know
Beaten red white and blue for the green we pursue
I’m still looking for you

[Switchfoot:]
America who are you?
Underneath the red blue and white?
America who are you?
I wonder who you are tonight
America who are you?
Is God still on your side?
I want to see a nation rise above the fear and fight that haunts these streets tonight

I'm looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I'm looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can't believe in
But I'm still holding on to hope
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for America

America who are you?
Am I asking for too much
America who are you?
Has your dream become out of touch
America who are you?
Do you get what you deserve
Between the violence and entitlements
Which nation do you serve?

I'm looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I'm looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can't believe in
But I'm still holding on to hope
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for America

I’m singing
Farewell my utopia
Farewell my euphoria
Fare thee well my suburban day-dream
Farewell my utopia

[Lecrae:]
America you so pretty
But you not perfect
Confession of guilt is worth it
These people hurting deserve it
Blood on your hands I saw
When there’s blood on this nations floor
But it’s blood on the upper post of your door
If you need to know

I’m looking for your honesty in skeletons
Do away with your ignorance and arrogance
America the land of immigrants
Check the green card and pedigree
Bless the Choctaw and the Cherokee
That we’ll never see

[Switchfoot:]
I'm looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I'm looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can't believe in
But I'm still holding on to hope
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for America

[Lecrae & Switchfoot:]
The land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows we need plenty change
I’m looking for America
Plenty chains in the past left deep scars
But when the sun come down we gonna be stars
And may the stripes heal when it’s through
Beaten red white blue for the green that we pursue

I’m looking for America