Ending the Epidemic of Violence in America
Originally posted on February 17, 2018
I am not a politician. I am not a pastor. I am not even an activist. I have no platform, education, or background that qualifies me to solve the crisis in America.
But I am a citizen of the United States. I am a father. I hurt when children are hurting. I grieve with parents who have lost their children to violence. And I worry every day about the safety of my kids and their schools as I send them into the care of others five days a week.
Every day, I hear so many solutions proposed by people just like me. Politicians offer their answers. Presidents speak, Senators meet, lobbyists rally. There are marches, debates, and congressional hearings—and yet, the violence continues. Families are torn apart, children are still dying, and the nation remains divided.
I’m not here to take a political stance or offer short-term solutions. I want to ask a deeper question: How can we truly end the violence in America?
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Would you agree that our nation needs healing? The Bible offers a conditional promise of national healing. Though this verse was originally spoken to Solomon, I believe it is just as relevant to us today. God’s nature and promises never change (Heb. 13:8, Psalm 119:89). However, this promise comes with a warning: If we turn away and forsake His commands, we invite adversity (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). Could this be where we find ourselves today?
If we can agree that our nation needs healing, let’s examine the steps outlined in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and consider what we, as Christians, must do to see healing in our land.
1. "If my people, who are called by my name..."
Who are God’s people? Isaiah 63:18-19 tells us that His people are those in relationship with Him, those who are called by His name. For us today, that’s Christians. The responsibility for seeking healing lies with those who know Him—not the world at large.
2. "...will humble themselves..."
Humility is a central theme throughout Scripture. It’s not just a one-time act; it’s a way of life, placing others’ needs above our own. Proverbs 22:4 teaches that humility stems from reverence for the Lord—acknowledging His authority in our lives and living in a way that honors Him.
3. "...and pray..."
Prayer is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. We are called to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to bring our burdens and requests to Him. God hears the prayers of His people (Jeremiah 29:12, Ephesians 6:18), but we must ask. The healing of our nation will only come through the prayers of Christians united in seeking God’s intervention.
4. "...and seek my face..."
Seeking God’s face means striving to know His heart—His desires, His will, His love. It’s not enough to pray for what we want; we must seek to align our prayers with what He desires. Acts 17:26-27 reminds us that God created us to seek Him, and though He is near, it is our responsibility to pursue Him.
5. "...and turn from their wicked ways..."
This means more than just stopping sinful behavior; it means replacing it with actions that honor God. It’s a complete turnaround, a commitment to living for Him and letting Him direct our path (Proverbs 3:6).
The Promise: "Then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land."
If we follow these steps, God promises to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land. When God heals, He does so completely—blind men saw clearly, the lame walked freely, and the dead were raised to life. Imagine a nation fully healed by God. It is possible because He has promised it.
But this healing won’t come from just a few Christians praying. It requires a nation of believers united in prayer, turning from sin, and standing firmly on the truth of God’s Word. We must stop compromising the Bible’s teachings for worldly acceptance. This might mean rethinking how we spend our time, what we watch, or even how we engage in political discussions. The ultimate solution isn’t found in political parties or temporary fixes; it’s found in a wholehearted return to God.
I’m not saying that political decisions don’t matter—of course, they do. But we need more than just legislation or band-aid solutions. We need the power of God to heal our land, and that starts with Christians praying, seeking, and surrendering to Him.
If it seems like God isn’t doing enough, we must ask ourselves why. As our nation drifts further from Him, He allows adversity to draw us back to His power and authority (2 Chronicles 7:19).
Here’s a sobering reality:
In the 1700s, there was one recorded school shooting in the United States.
In the 1800s, there were 28.
In the 1900s, that number jumped to 227.
Since the year 2000, there have been 207 school shootings.
Since 1962, when public prayer and Bible readings were removed from schools, there have been 371 school shootings. Of the 1,300 people killed or injured in school shootings since 1760, 1,200 of those have been since 1963.
These numbers are alarming, and they point to a deeper problem—a nation in desperate need of healing. Let us, as Christians, commit to seeking God’s face, turning from our ways, and praying for the healing of our land.
