Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham and sister of Franklin Graham, has shared the four ways Christians can help bring peace and reconciliation to a country currently riddled with racism, violence, and injustice.
"As I've read reports of shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota ... as I've shared the agony of a nation that is reeling from the cold-blooded, deliberate, pre-planned murder of police officers ... as I've watched the eruption of anarchy in the streets ... as I've wept with grief almost deeper than words but expressed by a silent scream in my heart ... I've asked the Lord, What are we to do," Lotz wrote on her website Monday.
"Is there anything ordinary, good people can do?" she asked before sharing four things Christians can do to help their local communities.
"First, we can pray. Paul challenges us in Ephesians 6:18. ... With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying. ... It's time for you and me to establish a set-aside time of consistent, daily prayer," she wrote.
Next, she said Christians need to "pick up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, according to Ephesians 6:17," which she said should encourage people to spend daily, consistent time with the Bible.
"But don't just read it. Apply it. Obey it. Live it out," she wrote.
Lotz then pointed to 2 Timothy 2:22-24, which urges believers to "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace."
"Pursue the right thing, not necessarily the popular or the politically correct thing. Stand up for justice, truth, kindness and love by our own example," she explained.
Ultimately, Christians have an obligation to proclaim Jesus' name, Lotz concluded.
"Be ready at a moment's notice to share the Gospel and give a reason for the hope that is within you," she said. "Please. Don't do nothing. Do something! Pray. Pick up your sword. Pursue righteousness. And proclaim Jesus until He comes."
Amid the shooting deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and a number of police officers, Franklin Graham similarly expressed sorrow over the racial division and unrest currently seen across the country.
The police in the United States have a significant purpose, and serve to protect the the millions of law-abiding citizens from criminals, the evangelist contended.
"Our law enforcement is what stands between us and total anarchy," he said. "I support and back them 100%. Think about it-without them, we would be at the mercy of thugs, thieves, rapists, murderers and those who want to poison our young people with drugs. They're the 'blue line' standing between us and those would like to harm us. They're the ones running toward the danger, rather than away from it, in order to protect us."
However, there are certainly police officers who make terrible mistakes, as seen in the shooting deaths Sterling and Castile, both black men, sparking protests across the country.
"What happened last week in MN and LA was absolutely tragic, and my heart goes out to those families," Graham said. "The officers involved in these incidents will have their day in court."
However, it's of the utmost importance that Christians continue to pray for those serving in law enforcement as they put their lives on the line every day, Graham said
"Let's pray that God would give them good judgement and the right demeanor as they have to make critical decisions instantly," he concluded. "I hope you'll join me in expressing your support and prayers for them...when you see them in person."
