OAKWOOD VILLAGE, Ohio — Religious leaders across the state are urging prayer while addressing the violence that has erupted after what began as peaceful demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Reverend Dr. Larry Macon, Sr., pastor of Mount Zion of Oakwood Village, offered this prayer of healing during his Sunday sermon:

"We still believe that God is a God of love, and that we are going to remain people who are people of love. We're going to believe that God can move even in our nation and our country. Would you pray for our nation right now? Pray that God will somehow intervene, even in those of us who are feeling the pain of injustice--that God will not allow us to stoop so low to become violent, and to hate anyone. Love lifts. Hate repels. Kindness heals. Violence Destroys."