Some Minneapolis residents knelt and raised their arms. Others stood, pleading out loud to God for change. COURTESY PHOTO.
The death of George Floyd, an unarmed and handcuffed black man, while in Minneapolis police custody has triggered intensive prayer on streets among intercessors seeking God to heal the U.S that’s endured a violent week.
Decision Magazine reports that while dozens of people gathered for a fourth night of protests on Friday, a group of prayer worriers from Maranatha Minneapolis Church focused elsewhere.
“This group of believers sincerely sought God’s glory to be known across their community. They worshipped, crying out to God,” the news source wrote.
According to Decision Magazine, pastors of various denominations took turns praying—some in person and some by phone over a loud speaker.
They included Maranatha Minneapolis Church lead Pastor Herman Colón and his wife Yolandita of Maranatha.
Speaking to Decision Magazine, Colón likened the current situation to the storm the disciples encountered on the sea of Galilee. In Mark 4:38-40, the Bible tells about a massive squall that panics the disciples, some of whom are professional fishermen.
“In the midst of the storm, everybody is fearful—and what a storm Minneapolis is in,” Colón said before adding that Jesus urges His followers to decide—are you going to choose faith? The church needs to step up, Colón stressed.
“We’re not keeping watch,” he said. “And right here what happened … we cannot possibly allow this to happen under our watch.
“We’re not just pastoring a church, we’re pastoring a city. When we have that mentality of pastoring a city, everything changes for us.”
“We declare what the Word of God says, that we should declare into the city of Minneapolis and especially in this storm that we’re in,” Colón’s wife Yolandita added. “We declare life and peace and forgiveness. I see revival. I know revival is coming.
Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse which already deployed its team to manage the crisis situation in Minneapolis, said in a Facebook post on Friday: “The only One who can heal the racial divide is Jesus Christ who has the power to transform the human heart.”
Billy Graham chaplain Kevin Williams told Decision Magazine this week’s events have been exacerbated by the pre-existing stresses from COVID-19: financial issues, job losses and anxiety, to name a few.
“Through this response, we’re praying as we provide emotional and spiritual care, that those who know the Lord Jesus Christ would be encouraged and those who don’t know Him would come out of the darkness and into the marvelous light,” Williams was quoted as saying.
“In the midst of all this chaos, I believe the grace of God is pushing back the darkness,” another Christian leader identified as Evangelist Sammy Wanyonyi stated.
What you need to know about the protests
- They have erupted in at least 30 US cities over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Citing police brutality and racial segregation, protesters say they want to see charges for all four police officers involved in the death of Floyd.
- One former officer, who was seen in a video with his knee on Floyd’s neck, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter — but protesters and critics believe the charge isn’t harsh enough.
- Aside vandalized stores, a 21-year-old man sitting in their car was shot dead in downtown Detroit after someone opened fire toward a protesting crowd.
