I do not have a quarrel with the planned demonstrations, and thank God that they (and I) have those rights. I might want to hold a demonstration of my own one day, and I cherish the right to do so.
With that said, it is easy for emotions to become inflamed, and for opposing views to collide. When that happens, it is entirely possible for violence to erupt.
I have prayed until I'm out of words about the situation in Tupelo and the potential for catastrophe during tomorrow's protests. The presence of KKK brochures in Tupelo has chilled me to the bone.
In anticipation of the very real possibility of true evil stirring the action, I beg you to participate in a virtual prayer walk of the two areas.
Evil is here and has the potential to take the day.
This must not be allowed to happen.
As children of God, we can access the power of the One who spoke the earth into being, spoke life into the dead man Lazarus, sustains and maintains the stars in the sky, and holds the earth in place. Our heavenly Father listens when we cry out to Him, and He is more than able to handle the events of tomorrow.
If we believe what we say we do, we must not sit idly by and do nothing. We can do the most powerful thing of all, and if we do not, it is a travesty. Our Abba Father can help us if we will only cry out. So join with me as we approach His throne.
Before we begin, let's review the primer on Spiritual Warfare found in Ephesians 6:10-20.
Let's begin by confessing our own sin and trying to clear our hearts of anything that might impair our prayers...
The first protest planned for tomorrow is at 10:30am and lasts until no later than 12:30pm. According to wtva.com, "the route ... will begin on Franklin Street near the BancorpSouth Arena, then down Green Street and finally down Main Street toward Fairpark." There will be a rally there after the march.
This link will take you to a Google map of the area to help you visualize the route. (opens in a new tab)
There are at least a dozen businesses along the route. Here's a link to a list of downtown businesses.
Please pray:
1) That the march will proceed in an orderly fashion.
2) That peace will cover downtown Tupelo like a blanket (My friend, David Davis, suggested this, and he's right.)
3) That not one word that might incite violence would be spoken.
4) For the protection of all protestors and all law enforcement officers.
5) That agitators from outside our town who want to cause trouble will not even be able to enter our city, whether from car trouble or other divine hinderances.
6) That none of the businesses along the route would be damaged in any way.
7) That the loss of revenue during the time of the protest will not prove to be catastrophic for them, as many of the businesses are owned by entrepreneurs who are likely counting on no-sales-tax-weekend revenue.
8) That the perfect love of Jesus will be demonstrated by all believers (regardless of the amount of melanin in their skin) and that it will cast out fear.
9) That no outside influence would profit from the demonstration.
10) That the Shumpert family would be surrounded by the love of God and find the perfect peace that passes all understanding, regardless of how the investigation proceeds.
11) That there will be not even one incident of violence or destruction of any kind.
12) That God might send a cooling rain that would keep tempers down and cool any hot heads. (If that rain makes violence less likely, all the better. I'm happy with torrents of rain, as well.)
Finally, pray that no sign of the KKK will be present during this protest to inflame emotions or cause worsened fear.
The second protest is scheduled for Ballard Park and will run from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. It's sponsored by the Confederate United Patriots Society. Here's a link to their: CUPS Facebook Page
Please pray:
1) That these protestors will not collide with the Our Lives Matter protesters in any way.
2) That no families will bring children to the park to play and get caught unawares in the demonstration.
3) That the state flag will not be allowed to inflame passions any further.
4) That the KKK will not be allowed on the grounds of the park by divine intervention. (As they, too, have the right to assembly and I'm not sure they can be refused access to the park.)
5) That none of the park equipment and none of the park's facilities will be damaged in any way.
6) That the protest will proceed peacefully, that cool heads will prevail, and that nothing will be allowed to inflame passions or incite violence.
7) That peace will cover the park like a blanket.
8) That the perfect love of Jesus will cast out any fear.
9) That no alcohol that might blunt judgment will be involved.
10) For the protection of all protestors and all law enforcement officers.
11) That agitators from outside our town who want to cause trouble will not even be able to enter our city, whether from car trouble or other divine hinderances.
12) That there will be not even one incident of violence or destruction of any kind.
13) That God might send a cooling rain that would keep tempers down and cool any hot heads. (If that rain makes violence less likely, all the better. I'm happy with torrents of rain, as well.)
14) That this demonstration will not cause further injury to the fragile peace of our area.
15) That no sign of the KKK will be present during this protest to inflame emotions or cause worsened fear.
16) That those with firearms will leave them in their vehicles, including those with concealed carry permits. (this subject has been mentioned on their FB page, but I did not see a decision from their leadership.)
Most of all, pray that God would be glorified by what HE does and will get all the credit.
We would do well to fast until tomorrow evening, when the protests are over, but we must not stop praying. The enemy of our souls must not be allowed free reign in our town. In the name of Jesus, pray as if the very existence of our town and the peace of our region depends upon it, for they very well may.
Pray, and, like Elijah, keep praying until the cloud comes and God moves.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man ACCOMPLISHES MUCH.
James 5:16 KJV
but only if the righteous actually pray...
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#prayforTupelo #tupelo #prayforpeace #tupelojuly30
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