Holy Cross Prayers For Racial Justice
"How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest my enemies say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me to rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation." Psalm 13
Almighty God, our Creator, the Everlasting God, the Source of Life, Light, Goodness, and Truth in this universe, we turn our hearts and minds towards you this day. You have commanded us as spiritual leaders, clergy, congregants, citizens, police officers, and government officials to Seek justice (for all people), love mercy (to choose the Path of forgiveness over hate and violence), and to walk humbly before you.
Why? So we can see your Path through this difficult hour and see the suffering of our black brothers and sisters and all people of color. Many of them have suffered at the hands of abused power and injustice.
May our religious practices not take precedents over the things that are most important to you. The prophets of old declared these things are mercy (forgiveness), justice, and faith. Faith that a better world where the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr. is fully realized.
May we not protect the powerful and those in authority at the expense of the weak, oppressed and downtrodden. May we be reminded that the prophets of old have commanded us to cry out against injustice, to lift our voices like a trumpet, and let our nation know that it has sinned against people of color.
May those in power who want peace, justice, and accountability of those among them who have sinned against people of color take a humble position. May they take a knee in honor of those precious black people who have suffered at the hands of their colleagues and coworkers. May their humble prayer be "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
This type of government protections is the normal birthright and expectation of every citizen towards those who swore to protect them.
But as we step into our roles as spiritual leaders, You have called to us to raise a clear prophetic voice in this hour. May we also be bridgebuilders and peacemakers between the oppressed and the oppressed. May we find Your Path through anger, rage, and pain. May we not be afraid to cry out and spare not our voices like a trumpet against injustice, but when the smoke clears, may we be there to be rebuilders of the breach between those in power and people of color in this country. Jesus (Isa) once said, "Blessed are the peacemaker. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice. Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted."
Like John the Baptist and all the prophets of our holy books, Lord, you have called us to a time of the prophetic mission. May we show people the way of peace.
May we turn the hearts of government officials and those who enforce the laws to the people they serve. And may we turn the hearts of the people who are suffering to those who are supposed to represent and protect them. Changing laws and holding authority accountable will be huge steps, but unless the hearts change, we want get very far.
You sent your servant Martin Luther King Jr. to show us your Dream for humanity. Lord, we have come so far, but we still have a ways to go to fulfill that Dream for all people of color.
May we remember that at the heart of that Dream was not revenge or one race in dominance over another but the creation of a Beloved Community. A community where the oppressors repent of their abuses of power and the oppressed forgive them and invite them into space where both can help others join our happy band of justice. A community where oppressed and oppressors see each other and become not only friends but allies, brothers, sisters, and ultimately a Beloved Community led by your righteous Spirit.
May your kingdom come and will be done. Show us the way of shalom, salaam, peace, and may we walk the Straight Path together into your Kingdom of Righteousness as children of God. Amen