City Life Philly Fasting and Prayer
For Healing & an End to Racial Injustice in Philly and Our Nation
I. FASTING & PRAYER
When Will We Fast and Pray Together?
Join us on Monday, June 8 beginning at 7:14 AM. We want to fully connect, pray, and reflect on topics such as justice, diversity, reconciliation, and healing. Uniting together in prayer is something powerful that we can do together as the body of Christ. Follow along on social media for prompts to help guide you in prayer throughout the day, ending in live prayer at 7:14 PM on Facebook and Instagram live. We need God like never before, let's seek him with desperate faith together.
Why Are We Fasting and Praying?
We are taking this time to stop our daily activities, feel the plight of our fellow Americans and listen to the Spirit to guide our response. We are setting apart time to lament, to mourn, to grieve - for so much loss due to COVID-19, to the injustices around us and our own sin. We ask for God’s heart. We are fasting to experience our dependence on the God who provides for all our needs. And we are uniting in prayer for the Lord’s will and direction to move forward, with revival and renewal. We are praying for our local church body, the larger church as bride of Christ, the City of Philadelphia, and our nation as a whole.
The Pandemic is still active. Our nation now has over 100,00 lives lost to the COVID-19 virus. Many of us have family or acquaintances touched by severe sickness or death. We all are impacted by the new reality of social distancing, school and business closures, isolations, quarantines, and masks. The racial injustice and inequality that plagues our nation is consuming our news cycles. The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd are not isolated instances of racism and evil. We know that the image bearers of our Creator are not identified by race, color, or ethnicity. All people are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. The realities of the violent and unjust deaths of these black Americans are forcing us to deal with the systemic problem of racial inequality and injustice in our nation. At the same time, COVID-19 related unemployment and financial losses are taking their toll on our families, our city, our nation and across the world. We deal with COVID-19 consequences like unpaid bills, evictions, economic recession, and even hunger nearby and worldwide. Our leaders struggle to balance control of the virus with reopening businesses and jobs. We have before us individually and collectively an opportunity for repentance, reconciliation, renewal, and revival. We know how to pray - for our Lord Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in Heaven, “Thy will be done, Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven.” When we unite together in prayer, the Spirit will be present with us.
So...Why fast?
Fasting is something Jesus tells us to do
It reminds us of our humanity and need for God
It is a spiritual practice that can unite us and bring us closer to each other and God
It is a catalyst to worship as we depend more on God himself and less on ourselves
We are aware that the Bible warns of fasting with impure motives or for the praise of man. That is not our desire in promoting this event. We were prayerful in our decision to invite you in, and we hope that this is a time of deep meditation and self-reflection. We pray this is a step towards progress in our city, our world, our churches and in our own hearts.
II. REFLECTION
As we begin to fast and pray together, we can reflect on these pillars:
Justice
Comfort
Healing/Help
Humility/Confession
Diversity/Unity
Reconciliation
Peace
For each section, we’ve offered some verses, songs, questions and guided prayers to think about throughout your day of fasting and time of prayer.
1. JUSTICE
Biblical justice means “to make right.” It is living in right relationship with God, each other and creation. Social justice is applying God's loving order of right living toward the least, last and lost.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place…Is not this to know me?’ declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 22:3,16b
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9
Listen
QUESTIONS
When have you been moved to grief or anger over injustices against others?
Have you experienced injustice and how has this experience caused you to call out to God?
How can you show God’s love and justice by showing mercy and kindness to those who are in social pain?
Who do you believe in your life Jesus is referring to when he speaks of caring for the least of these? Or loving thy neighbor?
Have you played any part in the systemic racism and injustice of our neighbors, friends, and family of color?
Can you ask the Lord to give you a greater desire to work toward racial unity?
Prayer
A CRY FOR HELP
A beautifully written prayer by Liberti network director and long time Philadelphia Pastor Steve Huber
A SONG OF ASCENTS
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
Deliver me, O LORD,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!Psalm 120:1-7
Heavenly Father,
This is a song and prayer of “ascent” that God’s people prayed and sang on the journey while ascending the road to Jerusalem and the temple.
This prayer and song is also an outcry for relief from violence and distress!
We too cry out for safety and deliverance. We pray for our brothers and sisters of color— we pray that they would sense from Jesus’s people that we want to listen and acknowledge their pain and hear their voices.
We pray for all those who feel the “woe” and “distress” of unfair treatment, brutality and deceit. We pray for peace in every community and we cry out for justice.
We too cry out to the Lord who will judge the earth and every person on it.
We pray for safe streets and for just policing— we pray that you would strengthen and bless every police officer and pray they serve their communities with respect and fairness.
We too lament that our country is in agony and we pray for needed reform.
We too lament the effect of those who oppose peace and justice
“I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!”
Lord - we pray that your people would be humble, loving, and bold.
We thank you that you entered this violent world only to be put to death by the wicked, so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to you.
We pray that your people would be forces of peace in our communities, because our Lord Jesus said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
In Jesus name,
Amen
2. COMFORT
Comfort represents relief from pain, consolation under calamity and an assuring presence of safety and peace from trouble. We find comfort often in the presence of God and one another amidst suffering.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 6:4
LISTEN
Lean Back by Capital City Music
QUESTIONS
How have you poured out your own losses before God? Reflect on how you have been comforted by God, by the Word, by the Church, by friends, family, and others.
Has your heart been broken and tears poured out over the horrendous and horrific deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and the thousands of our other Brown and Black brothers and sisters?
Prayer
Pray for those you know who are suffering loss as a result of the COVID-19 virus.
Pray for the multitude of grieving people who have lost their beloved from the COVID-19 virus. Ask God to draw near to them to comfort them through His spirit and through family, friends, and neighbors.
Pray for our neighbors, family and friends of color who are grieving and hurting for personal and collective loss. We are called to grieve with those who are grieving, mourn with those who mourn.
3. HEALING / HELP
Healing represents not only physical but emotional and spiritual restoration, rebuilding, and renewal. From those suffering from the pandemic, to wounded hearts traumatized by systemic injustices, God longs to be our healer.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
LISTEN
You Keep On Getting Better (feat. Majesty Rose) by Maverick City Music
Questions
How has God been your healer from physical, emotional or spiritual wounds?
Have you been the recipient of racism and injustice? How does Jesus offer hope, healing, and comfort to you?
How have you changed in your walk with Christ in your love for others and healed bitterness and ability to forgive those that hurt you?
Prayer
Prayer for Comfort
Pastor Drew & Megan Guensch, Bedrock Church, Philadelphia
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Father, It seems strange to pray for comfort at a time when action is needed, but your Spirt gives a comfort that this world knows nothing of. A comfort that does not find solitude in a life of ease or passivity, but rather a comfort that exudes confidence and resolve that can only come from the God of all comfort. Father, this is the comfort that we pray for.
Give comfort to those who have experienced racial injustice, and to those who speak on their behalf.
Give comfort to those who have experienced loss and pain as a result of judgement and hate.
Give comfort to those who have felt unseen and misunderstood simply because of the color of their skin.
Give comfort to those who are weary and burdened under the weight of the lack of change, lack of action, and lack of hope.
May this comfort ease broken spirits, let it empower those who have nothing left, and may it make the unseen feel known and loved and valuable. Cover those hurting with comfort, in such a way that there is a strength that leads to a beautiful reconciliation amongst all people. As we look to Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of all things good and just, we move forward in confidence, not as those who have no hope, but as those who have tasted and seen the richness of His grace and love.
“God’s comfort strengthens weak knees and sustains sagging spirits so that one faces the troubles of life with unbending resolve and unending assurance.” - David E Garland
Pray for healing over those battling COVID-19 locally and around the world.
Pray for health and provision for those experiencing food insecurity as a result of pandemic leading to unemployment, lost income, lock-downs, food chain and transport disruption.
Pray for healing over our nation’s history of racism. Pray God moves us towards a new beginning, gives us an opportunity for change, and brings a spirit of revival.
Ask God to fill us with courage, that we might seek to heal wounds, forgive and be forgiven, and create peace and equality in our communities.
Pray for protection of all those working on the frontlines and the media that is out there doing their jobs to bring information to our communities.
4. HUMILITY / CONFESSION
Biblical humility is a quality of continuous pursuit of godliness, marked by gratitude, selflessness and desire for Christ’s glory. It is rooted in the fear God, and leads to regular confession of sins to grow in godliness and communion with Christ.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
“If we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
LISTEN
Promises (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine) by Maverick City
Questions
How has the pandemic and social justice issues brought to light in recent weeks brought you to new levels of gratitude, selflessness and desire for Christ’s glory?
Are there any ways that you need to repent of racism, injustice, and silence?
In what ways is God leading you to grow in godliness and deeper intimacy with Christ?
Prayer
Pray for the Spirit to reveal any sin in your life and confess that to Christ. “Search me, oh God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23
Ask the Lord to give us the courage to remind one another that in Jesus we have received grace and mercy. He has made payment for our sins!
Ask God to bring about change in your life. Ask Him to grow you in kingdom justice and the Imago Dei [every person is an image bearer of God].
Pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
5. DIVERSITY / UNITY
While God created one race: the human race; he created mankind in ethnic diversity to reflect the beauty, richness and excellencies of the Creator, in the Imago Dei. The Church bears a unique witness as the body of Christ, in unity representing a diversity of functions for the building up of the body in love.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
Revelation 7:9 NIV
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:4-8
LISTEN
Make Us One (ft. Chris Quilala) by Jesus Culture
Questions
How do you understand the teachings on “one body, many members, different gifts?”
What are your thoughts about diversity in the church body?
What does “We are one in the spirit” mean to you?
What does our nations motto- E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one) mean to you?
Prayer
By Rachel Hooper (City Life young adult Life Group)
“May your spirit move every heart to take down the walls that divide us, the biases we have for one another, the hate that defiles us, the prejudice that separates us. Let the change begin in my own heart, O God. Enlighten the darkest parts, the sins that sit unchecked in my heart, masquerading as ignorance, naivety, or someone else’s problem. We pray as David prayed “Create in me a clean heart O God, renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Bring your people together to embrace our differences and see each other as you us, by the power of your Holy Spirit to stand for goodness and truth.”
6. RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation represents atonement, reunion, making friends of enemies. Biblical reconciliation aims at restoring a broken relationship conditioned upon the actions of the offender seeking reconciliation, a process of healing following forgiveness.
“And he has given us this command: anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
1 John 4:21
“Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5: 18
LISTEN
Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) by People & Songs (ft Josh Sherman)
Questions
How has fear, and how has love, impacted your outreach to the marginalized, the homeless, the unemployed, and those disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis?
During this time of pandemic, economic distress, and racial unrest, who is the Spirit leading you to call, grieve with, repent to, or comfort in this season?
Are you willing to listen with grace to people who oppose your views? Do you continue to love those in your life with different religious, social or political views?
Are you comfortable in-group settings, including worship, with a diversity of races, life-styles, and political affiliations?
Can you ask the Lord to reveal to you, and free you from, any implicit biases impacting your witness?
Envision how through reconciliation, your neighborhoods, schools, families, workplaces could be different. How could your own life be different?
Prayer
Pray for God to show you ways you can be a bridge builder for people who hold different views from yourself.
Pray for God to cleanse you from unrepentant grudges or bias.
Pray for God’s courage and wisdom to overcome the influence of our hyper-radicalized media coverage and conversations, and to seek ways to bring healing and change.
Pray that the Lord will give wisdom to parents as they talk about racism issues and current events with their children.
Ask the Lord to give our pastors and spiritual leaders a full-measure of wisdom to help us understand and take action on racism, racial justice, racial trauma and wounds, and reconciliation.
Ask the Lord to give a new spirit of reconciliation to all those who work in government and public service.
7. PEACE
Biblical peace comes from the word “shalom,” meaning completeness, harmony, security and well-being of body, mind and spirit.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert; His righteousness lives in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 32:16-17
LISTEN
Peace Be Still (feat. Lauren Daigle) by The Belonging Co
Questions
Can you recall a time when the Lord brought you a peace that was in spite of, or borne out of, difficult circumstances?
Reflect on what you believe you want and need most...peace in the world, personal peace in your circumstances, or inner peace. Do you deeply understand what Jesus means by “my peace?”
If Jesus gives us peace that is not like the world’s peace, why do you think we are also called to be peacemakers?
How are peace and justice related?
Prayer
By Pastor Brad Leach
Heavenly Father, we confess that our minds and hearts are torn by all of the pain and chaos happening around us. We have too quickly turned to the news, social media, and other outlets, hoping that more information or another opinion will heal the anxiety we feel. But we know the peace we desperately need can only come from your Holy Presence. Teach us to trust you. Teach us to depend on you. Give us peace where our understanding falls short. Give us peace in the streets of our city. We pray for every riot, evil word, and act of violence to cease. And anoint us to be instruments of peace, in every conversation and environment we find ourselves in.
III. ACTION
Living faith is known by its works. Loving God and one another implies action on the part of the believer in obedience to the Great Commandment and Great Commission. Like Jesus expresses in John 4:34, “my food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” By acting on God’s will, we experience the deep satisfaction and fulfilment we were made for!
“What is good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deed? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in Peace, keep warmed, and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
James 2:14-17 NIV
LISTEN
This Is A Move by Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Questions
What is my part to play in seeing God’s kingdom come on earth?
How has God opened your eyes as you have prayed through this guide?
How can you begin to take action in your home and with those you love?
How can you leverage your resources and influence to benefit others in your community, school, workplace, City Life Church family, friends and family?
Other Actions
Get educated. Read some books about race and culture written by voices of color. We have included a compiled list to get you started.
Be inclusive in your spaces. Invite people of a different color than you into your home and get to know them on a real level. Maybe even have these hard conversations with them. Ask them about their experiences. Tell them you want to share yours. No more superficial relationships.
Grow in appreciation and understanding for the Black community: Watch a movie such as Just Mercy, 13th, and so many others. Support Black-owned businesses. Get to know Black culture intentionally, and not as a “missionary” to change or “fix” Black culture – but as a friend with curiosity and humility appreciating and enjoying the gift of diversity.
We believe strongly that the body of Christ working together is the key to racial reconciliation. In your personal growth in regards to racial reconciliation, your family, your neighbors, our church, your children, and the law will be impacted greatly for the better.
We love each and everyone in our church family and we are thankful for a people who desire the kingdom of God to come forth on the earth.
RACISM AND RECONCILIATION RESOURCES
Book List Recommendations
Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation | Latasha Morrison
The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege | Ken Wytsma
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption | Bryan Stevenson
What Lies Between Us: Fostering First Steps toward Racial Healing | Dr. Lucretia Berry
Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice and Trouble Times | Soong-Chan Rah
Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice | Dr. Eric Mason
Urban Apologetics: Why the Gospel is Good News for the City | Christopher Brooks
Let Justice Roll Down | John M. Perkins
For Christian leaders who want to understand the role of race in the church.
The Color of Compromise: Truth About the American’s Church’s Complicity in Racism | Jemar Tisby
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America | Michael Emerson and Christian Smith
If you are in a place of working to understand your own racial identity.
White Awake: An Honest Look At What It Means To Be White | Daniel Hill
Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria | Beverly Tatum, PhD
If you have some understanding of the history of race in America, but know there are still gaps in your understanding.
The Making of Asian America | Erika Lee
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America | Juan Gonzalez
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States | Roxanne Dunbar- Ortiz
Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America | Ibram X. Kendi
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America |Richard Rothstein
Free At Last: The Gospel in the African American Experience | Carl F. Ellis Jr
The Philadelphia Negro | W.E.B DuBois
If you are an adoptive parent, here are some specific resources.
All You Can Ever Know | Nicole Chung
In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption | Rhonda M. Roorda
If you are ready for action steps.
Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores | Dominique Dubois Gilliard
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion | Gregory Boyle
With Justice for All: A Strategy for Community Development | John Perkins
Other People’s Children | Lisa Delpit
Special Thanks and Credits
Pastor Brad Leach, City Life Church (Philadelphia)
Pastor Steve Huber, Liberti Network Director and Pastor (Philadelphia), Prayer, “A Cry for Help”
Pastor Stephen Weeks, Redemption City Church (Philadelphia), Commitment to Justice material, and Be the Bridge Book List
Amanda Curry, Liberti Church Northeast (Philadelphia)
Rachel Hooper, City Life Church Young Adults Life Group
Laura Gish, City Life Church Young Adults Life Group
Thomas Hlohinec, City Life Church Young Adults Life Group