Quiet Obedience

Someone said to me just yesterday that there is no need to be upset about what is happening in this country in regard to the government, the police, anarchist and discourse, disturbance and the like.  She went on to state that what we need to do is pray.  At the time I had to huff up for a moment and think that although it be true that we must pray for the people and our country, we as a nation of black folk must rally, stand up and loudly proclaim that what is going on in all of our major cities and in Ferguson is unacceptable.

The militant side of me screams that we must stand shoulder to shoulder and do whatever is necessary until change happens in this country in regard to our young black men being killed at the hands of a militarized police force, each other or even in a prison system that is designed to kill a spirit and break a mind.

Ok, in my quiet moments I reflected on what she was trying to say.  The bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

With that said it is time to stop the insanity on all fronts by any means necessary.  When I say all fronts I mean the the brutal murder of our strong black men by the police in our communities, black on black crime, gang wars, drugs, child abuse and the sexual exploitation of and the violence against women. By any means necessary I mean that it is time for us to fully exercise the power that works in us – the power of Jesus Christ – the power of the Holy Ghost.

There is a storm raging in every village, hamlet and neighborhood across this country.  Somebody is mad about something or just plain mad in general but nothing we can do in our mortal flesh will calm that storm the way Jesus can. 

Mark 4: 37-41  37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Revelation:  we cannot do what we do in church – teach and preach a gospel  of peace and understanding and protest, march, fight and riot outside of church. The bible says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8  Either we hold fast to our faith in Jesus Christ and the power of His might or we don’t.  This does not mean that we are passive because I do not believe that in any way,  shape or form my prayers are passive.  I am radical for Christ by all means and know who it is that I serve.  We can move a mountains with the understanding that the most powerful tool we have against injustice is prayer.  The fence we build as protection against the wilds of the enemy are sure when built through the unction of the Holy Ghost. The same is true with the spiritual warfare that we must wage now more than ever.  We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in high places.  These issues with our young black men are spiritual issues and we as prayer warriors must gird up and fight in that manner.

Ask me if I am going to protest or march through the streets. MY answer is a resoundingly loud no. God has called me to fight on my knees. So, in quiet obedience that will I do.

Read and heed the Word of Lord. Some 50 years later, here we sit. Not much has changed so it must be time for Revolutionary Prayer.

Nina Simone - REVOLUTION, 1969

Backlash

Langston Hughes, Nina Simone, 1976