A new organization called The International Reconciliation Coalition has emerged from the growing international prayer movements. John Dawson, spokesman for the American chapter, stated that the purpose of the Reconciliation Coalition is to heal America’s wounds. He said, “Individuals can hurt each other through selfish and unjust behavior, but it’s also possible for a wound to be sustained by a corporate entity within American national life”.

Dawson pointed out that animosity and bitterness can fester unresolved for generations, particularly in the following categories: race to race, gender to gender, vocation to vocation, class to class, culture to culture, region to region, religion to religion, denomination to denomination, government to government and institution to institution. Dawson believes that it is the duty of intercessors to promote reconciliation between peoples and to cleanse the land through confession, repentance, reconciliation and restitution. In the corporate sense, Dawson defines confession as stating the truth; “acknowledgment of the unjust or hurtful actions of myself or my people group toward other persons or categories of persons.” Repentance is “turning from unloving to loving actions”. Reconciliation is “expressing and receiving forgiveness and pursuing intimate fellowship with previous enemies.” Restitution is “attempting to restore that which has been damaged or destroyed and seeking justice wherever we have power to act, or to influence those in authority to act.”

Dawson states that the shameful history of relationship with Native Americans is becoming a focus for prayer networks all over the nation, and a Native American Affairs Chapter led by Jean Stephenson has become a clearinghouse for information among concerned intercessors. “Solemn Assemblies” have begun to take place, not just in churches, but at the actual places where negative events took place.

In December 1992, a Solemn Assembly was held at Confluence Park in central Denver. The event was attended by politicians, pastors and representatives of the Native American peoples of the front range. This was followed in January of 1993 by a gathering of Christians of all races at a remote massacre site near the town of Chivington. Events took place there in the 1860's that are still a major cause for bitterness and a rejection of Christianity by increasing numbers of young Native Americans.

In November of 1864, Southern Cheyenne and Arapahoe, wanting peace and being assured that they were under the protection of the State, were told to camp at Sand Creek, Colorado; on land within the area of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851. While most of the men had gone to hunt for food for their families, the US Army Colorado Volunteers, under the command of a Methodist preacher, Colonel Chivington, rushed in with over 700 calvary and opened fire at dawn. The result was 105 women and children and 28 men dead. The atrocities did not end there: the dead being mutilated in the worst ways, survivors and body parts being displayed town to town. “We recognize that the human story is filled with complex issues and that today’s generation has inherited the task of both honoring righteous ancestors and seeking forgiveness for ancestral sins,” Dawson said. “It is our hope that our children will not have to deal with the hatred and alienation that have marked the experience of this and past generations. Our desire is to uncover the ancient and modern wounds of injustice, pride, and prejudice, and to heal them in a biblical way. That is to say, without self -righteous accusation or dishonest coverup.”

For more information about this ministry write to The International Reconciliation Coalition, P.O. Box 296, Sunland, CA. 91040.