Christian leaders across California and the U.S. are calling for prayers and peace amid unrest in Los Angeles that erupted in the wake of immigration raids. What began as demonstrations against ICE enforcement quickly escalated into violent clashes over the weekend, with protesters torching vehicles -- including self-driving cars -- while also blocking highways and hurling objects at law enforcement officers. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, leading to dozens of arrests.

The situation reached a boiling point when President Trump federalized approximately 2,000 California National Guard troops over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. It marked the first time since the mid-1960s that a governor’s opposition was bypassed.

At least 300 of the troops were deployed to the city to help restore peace and to protect federal government buildings, the White House said.

“We’re not gonna let our country be torn apart,” Trump said.

Newsom accused Trump of “manufacturing a crisis.”

“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom said, calling it a violation of state sovereignty.

Meanwhile, religious leaders are praying for calm.

José H. Gomez, the archbishop of Los Angeles, released a statement saying he is “troubled” by the immigration enforcement raids and praying “that everyone involved will exercise restraint and calm.”

“We all agree that we don’t want undocumented immigrants who are known terrorists or violent criminals in our communities,” Gomez wrote. “But there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hard-working immigrants and their families. Again, I urge Congress to get serious about fixing our broken immigration system that leads so many to seek to cross our borders illegally.”

Members of Chapel of Change, a congregation in Paramount -- a city in Los Angeles County -- wrote on Facebook, “We are praying for our City of Paramount today. Peace and unity.”

The National Faith Advisory Board, launched by the White House this year, also called for prayer, noting that the unrest was taking place the same day as a nationwide baptism movement, Baptize America.

“Pray for California! As riots in Los Angeles burn with hate, another movement in Newport Beach burns with the Holy Spirit!” the advisory board wrote in a social media post, citing pastor RJ McCauley. “What a contrast between the darkness and the light. Truly, the gospel is our only hope as a nation!”

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