Our cities are on fire and our communities are hurting. People are longing for a voice of hope, justice, and love. Secularism cannot fill that void. Hatred cannot fill that void. Destruction cannot fill that void.

Our nation desperately needs a better word. May the gospel of Christ be on our lips. May we stand on the Word of God. May we be absolutely clear about who Jesus is and what He demands of us.

There should be no controversy in God's people speaking against the sin of racism. No controversy in speaking against lawlessness and injustice. No controversy in laboring for peace. No controversy in showing kindness.

What if instead of tearing one another down and striving to establish our own righteousness, we humbled ourselves in prayer and fasting? What if we cried out together to the God of justice, mercy, and grace? We'd be a people marked by hope.

May the Lord move among us, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, to walk by the Spirit, not carrying out the desire of the flesh. And may the fruit of the Spirit mark us in this moment of trial (Gal 5:16-26).