Racism and Being a Christian

"Babies don't care if the people around them are overweight or thin, black or white, rich or poor, Christian or Buddhist. If they're treated with kindness, given comfort and have their needs taken care of, they develop strong bonds with those who care for them. So how do children go from loving infants to angry adults who fear or hate certain groups of people? As early as the preschool years, children are aware of stereotypes and may already have formed opinions about other groups of people. These judgments are based on what they've learned in their homes, in their neighborhoods and on TV. Because lasting impressions can be formed in early childhood, it's never too soon to teach your child to respect diversity."

Parenting Online Magazine, Optimum Health

Saw this article the other day and I got to thinking about Montgomery and how we really live each day. What is it we communicate to our children, our friends, our fellow citizens about racism? I thought it might be good to have the prayer focus again this week on this issue since it continues to be a concern for all of us who are believers in one way or the other.

PRAYER GUIDE THIS WEEK:

1. Pray that the Lord will continue to help us search our own hearts and see what prejudice we might still harbor.(Psalm 139:23-24)

2. Ask the Lord what we need to do this week to show God's Love to someone who is different than us.( Ephesians 4:32 )

3. Ask the Lord to show us how we can make a diffference in this city and break any barriers that we see. (Psalm 119:133)

4. Pray for the boldness to take a stand for right-ness when we see someone being unjustly treated because they are different. (Psalm 119: 77-78)

5. Ask the Lord to show us what we are teaching the children in our lives about truly loving others. ( Proverbs 22:6)

"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

Psalm 119:133