“United Methodists Stand Against Racism” is not simply a slogan for our church. It is a call to radical change in practice and structures and ways of seeing, in the church and in the world.
We commit to a daily practice of prayer to keep us focused on ending the sin of racism and its effects on God’s people of color and all people.
You are welcome to use these prayers as personal devotions and acknowledging the source to share in small groups or use in corporate worship.
Submit a prayer for anti-racism
Today's Prayer for Aug. 11, 2022
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
Psalm 85:10-11 NRSV
“Love and faithfulness,” “righteousness and peace”: these words seem to be from an alien tongue these days, O God of hope and promise. We are too often defined by hate and brokenness, by injustice and conflict. A glance through our social media “conversations” only confirms this negativity. So, how do we hold on to hope; how do we work for justice, when our leaders are bent on division and distrust? How do we lean in for this holy kiss, when we fear we will be bitten or burned instead? How long must we wait for fulfillment, for your kin-dom to be on earth as it is in heaven?
Or is it only in heaven? Open our eyes, Lord of this holy kiss, to see you at work through us. Help us see gestures of reconciliation, of equality, of justice. Help us promote the hands united across barriers of race or class. Help us lean into the grace of goodness, even in the face of systemic racism and inbred hate. Help us march on, God of promise and hope, 'til victory is won. Amen.
Derek Weber, August 2022