Y’all know when my heart is burdened I write about it…so here it goes. I wrote this piece on the day of Mike Brown’s funeral and never published it. My prayer remains the same today.

Today, is a sad day in the United States as we bury yet another fallen young black man, Michael Brown. As I’m sitting at work, I’m watching a soul-stirring message from Al Sharpton while the family silently mourns from the front pew.

Today my heart is especially burdened for the two most important young black men in my own life -my brother and my boo. I have unconditional love for both although expressed in different ways. My two loves have different names, different parents, have followed different paths through different circumstances yet they have one thing in common. They are part of what could soon be an endangered species. They are young black men under attack every day of their lives.

I worry about them daily as they go about their routines and activities. Who will follow them when they enter a store? Will they be stopped for being black as they drive on the highway? Who will try to undercut them when they submit a bid for a job? Who will second guess them when they provide an educated opinion? In every area of their lives, they are under siege – personally, professionally, emotionally, financially, spiritually, physically and even in their own community.

Today God, I ask that you would bless them like never before. Enlarge their territory. Break every yoke. Loose every chain. Release every blessing you have in store for them. Withhold nothing!!! Tear down strongholds. Remove barriers. Surround them with angels of protection. Cover them with grace and mercy. Chase them down with unmerited favor. I love you God. I trust you God. I believe in you God. I have faith in you God. Thank you for being our Sovereign God.