All eyes are on Kenosha, Wisconsin this week, where the Kyle Rittenhouse trial has gripped the nation. After the jury declared him not guilty on all counts Friday, the country is bracing for possible riots, which could last for weeks.

Moments like this present a unique opportunity for intercessors to take their posts to stand in prayer against the seeds of violence and racial division that have been sown largely by the media.

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If Kenosha burns, will the people of God respond?

Insider Intercessory Intelligence

I have been to many protests and riots like these in recent years, both covering them as a reporter and going on prophetic prayer assignments. As I walk the violent streets, one common refrain rings through the night.

Protesters and rioters chant:

“No justice, no peace!”

These demonstrations have gained momentum over recent years. At the same time, former President Donald Trump during the last administration rallied Americans with calls to “drain the swamp.” He enraptured the nation and tapped into the anger Americans have over the corruption in the nation’s capital.

Pray for the Lies to Be Exposed and the Violence to Be Stopped

What does the widespread anger over the “swamp” and the indignation over certain police shootings have in common? They both tap into the same part of the human soul — for those sanctified and otherwise — that cries out for justice.

At their core, both political parties have a drive for justice, but both sides have been so inflamed by the media to hate one another that the godly desire for justice has been twisted into disdain and even hatred for the other side.

In regards to the Rittenhouse case and the likely rioting, a few key elements are driving this problem:

1. Far-left politicians along with the media have stirred up racial division by misleading their audiences about the Rittenhouse case.
2. The erosion of law and order has made space for rioters to run loose.
3. Racial wounds from very real trauma have still not healed, and in each new case like Rittenhouse’s, the alleged perpetrator is expected to answer for the sins of all of American history.

Of course there are more political interpretations to these events, but as intercessors, we must always seek the root causes of issues so we can pray most effectively.  Pray for racial harmony, the exposure of lies that are dividing our nation, the strengthening of law and order, and for healing to come for both sides on this issue.

Dear intercessor, you are responsible for your city if rioting breaks out. You are the spiritual watchman. But your weapons are not carnal, guns and body armor, your weapons are spiritual: prayer, angelic armies, and the armor of God.

So, in Kenosha, or when the threat of riots inevitably come to your area, you cannot be content to simply complain about BLM or bemoan the state of our nation. Take your spot on your prayer watchtower and do spiritual battle for our nation.

We cannot stand by while destruction runs rampant in our nation any longer.

With this in mind, let us pray:

-Father, we pray for Kenosha, that lives would be saved, that your angels would be on assignment to protect the innocent there.

-Holy Spirit, we ask that you keep the media from further dividing our nation. Bring them to repentance for using cases like this to stir up racial division.

-Jesus, we pray for Kyle, that you would protect him and help him to steward well this position of influence he now has. He can use his fame to stir up division or to bring healing to the nation. We ask that you convict him to do the latter.

Verses to press into as you intercede on this issue:

There are six things that the Lord hates,

    seven that are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

    and hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans,

    feet that make haste to run to evil,

a false witness who breathes out lies,

    and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Pray:  Father God, spur believers to prayer and action for our cities. We pray that any lawlessness and violence would be quelled. May we as the Church be ready and intercede for our communities where they is increasing discord, and threats of rioting.

Your turn: Share how you are proceeding in prayer over your city? Have you been part of praying for peace and calm? Share in the comment section below!