Pray for St. Louis
An ugly cloud has been cast upon this region of the nation with the shooting of an 18-year-old on Saturday by a local police officer. The young man, Michael Brown, was allegedly unarmed when the officer shot him, allegedly in the back, allegedly more than once. Details are unclear at this time; the FBI has been called in to help investigate. [Note: later reports revealed that Brown was not shot from behind; the shots were fired as Brown faced the officer.]
After a peaceful prayer vigil Sunday night, the protest that followed quickly deteriorated into chaos. At least sixteen stores were vandalized and looted; a Quik Trip was gutted and burned; and there have been dozens of arrests in connection with the lawless activities.
Pray. This part of St. Louis county has experienced renewal and a renaissance of sorts in recent years, and the tragic loss of this young man and the ensuing destructive bedlam has brought a cloud of suspicion, mistrust, “I-told-ya-so’s”, reawakened fears, and unnecessary and unearned finger-pointing both locally and nationally.
I have frequently shopped in the area. I have friends living in the area. I had lunch with my sister in the area last week. This area has been a success story of an integrated community working together to improve the quality of life for as many as possible. And one thing the devil despises is a harmonious success story; hence, he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.
As for the looting, I felt I must give my opinion here, seeing as the mother of the deceased young man has publicly and very vigorously decried and denounced every bit of the destruction, calling it extreme disrespect to the memory of her son. And after watching the news Sunday night into the early hours of Monday morning, I developed a theory that may offer some insight as to how to pray.
The reports revealed that looters had removed or covered the license plates of their vans, SUVs, and large-trunked cars. Many also wore masks or covered their faces with cloths. As I thought about it, I realized that these were very likely not spontaneous crimes of grief or even racially-oppressed anger. I became suspicious that the looters—prepared with concealed license plates and roomy vehicles—were more than likely not from the immediate area, but might have arrived from other townships and cities. I have a feeling that many of these people pre-meditated their moves and used this tragedy as an opportunity to grab some goods to sell online. It’s my belief that few—if any—of the looters gave a second thought to the grief of Michael Brown’s family as they yielded to greed and violence, destroying businesses that contributed to the well-being of this community. When I hear people speaking ill of the region—and one area commentator not blaming QT or others if they chose not to rebuild there—I get angry.
And although—as of Monday night—unrest is still brewing, I am convinced that we are not really dealing with merely a racial issue. We are dealing with a sin issue. We are dealing with a devil who is taking advantage of anyone he can to stir violence, chaos, and destruction. Don’t join with the naysayers. Instead, pray for the grieving parents, family members, and friends. Pray for the authorities to work with integrity as they seek to learn the facts necessary to bring about justice. Know that the majority of souls living in this community despise the destruction; understand that Satan seeks to use anyone he can to steal, kill, and destroy. Use your authority to stand against the spirit of lawlessness seeking to control minds and behaviors. Use your faith to stand for God’s will to prevail in this region—and in yours.
I won’t stop believing that God can turn this around for good—as ugly and painful as it is—and to use it to bring men and women, boys and girls to a saving and healing knowledge of Jesus Christ. God will be glorified. To believe less is to doubt His almighty power and mercy. But—we must stand in the gap through which Satan seeks to enter, and pray—with the help of the Holy Spirit—to block, thwart, and restrain the enemy’s evil strategies.
Standing fast,
Dorothy
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesian 6:10-13
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