US Senate Chaplain Barry Black pastors 100 senators in Washington, DC. He understands a thing or two about praying about political divisiveness and working to find unity in the nation’s capital.
We are divided as a country over politics. The war alienating Conservatives and Democrats moves to an unhealthy rhythm of hatred.
With the nation embattled with rioting following the deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks – the 62nd chaplain of the Senate is praying for the souls of Americans.
“I think that people of faith need to be thinking about spiritual health and that is a vaccine that will help eviscerate hate, eviscerate arrogance, eviscerate pride, and teach us how to fulfill the entire law,” he tells CBN.
Humility and Repentance
Many people and families are being divided by politics. We don’t live in a world where you can agree to disagree. We can’t be unified if we’re screaming over each other.
Black knows what the antidote for the racial tension in America. It is in Galatians 5:14, which says, “You fulfill the entire law, wow, when you love your neighbor as yourself.”
“That really is the vaccine. If we could only learn, teach, positively reinforce people in such a way that they actually grew in spiritual maturity in health until they love their neighbor as they love themselves. You love your neighbor as yourself then you’re down there with a knee on your neck in Minneapolis when you watch the George Floyd tragedy.”
Black is calling all believers to encompass the Biblical command found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which calls for humility and repentance as the way forward.
“If every born again believer would pray daily 2 Chronicles 7:14 and then do their part in that promise, ’cause it’s an ‘if-then’ promise, we would bring about a revival in this nation that would dwarf the Great Awakening in the earlier days,” he says.
“That is what I pray for and that is what I think people called by the name of Jesus Christ should pray for as well.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness…Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
–Corine Gatti-Santillo