A number of Christian leaders are speaking out against Wednesday's violence in Washington, D.C., calling for peace and prayer.

Protests turned to riots Wednesday afternoon, as some of the protesters violently clashed with police and pushed their way into the Capitol building. The violence left four people dead, according to D.C. police, with one woman shot by police, and three others suffering medical emergencies.

Mennonite Central Committee cited Scripture while calling for peace. "Healthy dialogue skills help us engage in ways that reflect God in us. It is a spiritual practice to put on compassion when we don’t agree with one another, to listen more and speak less." (James 1:19)

MCC says that "At this time of unrest in the U.S. capitol, we pray that these words again will spark awareness of our primary allegiance to God and a willingness to engage others with love and compassion."

MCC's local office in Washington tweeted, "We grieve the violent acts being carried out at the U.S. Capitol. We call on Christians to commit to nonviolent action for justice and peace, as Christ taught us."

Singer Tauren Wells shared a photo of his son on Instagram with the caption, "I hope my sons won’t have to know the America I see right now. Lord, help."

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In a series of tweets, National City Church in D.C. says "As we watch a cross and noose being built on Capitol grounds, we realize that it’s more important than ever that we boldly proclaim the way of Jesus and publicly reject white supremacy and Christian nationalism as sin."

The D.C. church says "we will use our platform and witness to do just that. Our loyalty is always to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not a political leader or party."

Franklin Graham, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, says, "I am deeply saddened by what took place in our nation’s capital today. Our country is in trouble. We need God’s healing and we need God’s help. Pray for peace and the protection of our nation. Let’s come together—on our knees."

Graham has been criticized by other Christian leaders for not doing more to condemn what many are calling a terrorist act.

Worship artist Nichole Nordeman says, "The number of Jesus signs, Christian flags, and crosses on display during this attempted coup and attack on the Capitol bldg (I won’t dignify it with the word protest) is absolutely sickening to me. I’m not surprised to see it, but boy does it hurt."

She has been an outspoken critic of President Trump.

The violence broke out as a joint session of the U.S. Congress and Senate was debating and voting on the Electoral College's selection of Joe Biden as the next President of the United States. Lawmakers were rushed from the building as the rioters gained entry. They returned later in the evening to continue the process, and early Thursday morning validated the Electoral College's votes for Biden.

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