Thank you to all our brothers, sisters, families and friends who have prayed for Baltimore City and the challenges we face that have reached national attention.
As many of you are aware a series of protests, riots and acts of looting engulfed portions of Baltimore early this week. While all the facts concerning these events are not fully understood at this time, we, as God's children, remain certain of our Lord's providential control over all human affairs.
Naturally, events like these have the potential to arouse significant and legitimate emotions and concern in each of us. Yet in spite of these individual differences, we are a unified body, bound together by the blood of Jesus. Because of Christ's incredible actions for us on the cross, we are now empowered to be a light to the world: an example to our city of love, temperance, faith and service.
There are two great qualities of Jesus that will guide our actions going forward on this issue. First, his complete dependence on the sovereignty of God, and secondly his heart of service to those in need. To imitate these qualities we ask the church to commit to a time of prayer each day this week, focused exclusively on the social issues playing out in Baltimore and throughout the country. Of all the tools at our disposal, none is more powerful that consistent and corporate prayer. We issue the following direction to guide our prayers and unify our voice before God:
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Pray that the larger and unknown purposes of God in these matters will prevail for the good of the world.
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Pray that the leaders and authorities will act in step with the purposes of God.
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Pray that these issues will compel many to seek God with all their heart.
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Join us in praying for Baltimore to coincide with the Global Day of Prayer and Fasting
Regarding the second quality of public service, we are in collaboration with our HOPE worldwide to develop and implement multiple service opportunities designed to help those impacted by these events.
We ask for your continued prayers as our HOPE worldwide chapter representatives work to engage community organizers and find ways we can serve and support the healing and restoration of our great city. Our belief is that God has called us to be peace makers and that he will lead us as he has done before to do his will in the midst of the most challenging times.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” -- Jonah 3:1
We look forward to sharing with you new opportunities to get involved and engage in long and short and term solutions. Follow this page for updates: http://www.gbcoc.net/
Thank you again for your prayers, and God bless,
The Greater Baltimore Church of Christ Leadership