Prayers for Racial Justice

Prayers for Racial Justice
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Prayers for Racial Healing, Repentance and Justice

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart (and especially the hearts of the people of this land), that barriers that divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease: that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Chris our Lord. Amen. Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer

 

Dear God, in our efforts to dismantle racism, we understand that we struggle not merely against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities – those institutions and systems that keep racism alive by perpetuating the lie that some members of the family are inferior and others superior.

Create in us a new mind and heart that will enable us to see brothers and sisters in the faces of those divided by racial categories.

Give us the grace and strength to rid ourselves of racial stereotypes that oppress some of us while providing entitlements to others.

Help us to create a Church and nation that embraces the hopes and fears of oppressed People of Color where we live, as well as those around the world.

Heal your family God, and make us one with you, in union with our brother Jesus, and empowered by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Used with permission. For more information about Pax Christi or to order copies of this prayer, visit the Pax Christi web store.

 

God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception. Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being. Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech which demean others. Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination and violence, and their passionate appeals for change. Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices and to right the wrongs of history. And fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Prayer for the Victims of Violence

Loving God, you are the author and sustainer of our lives. You know the anguish of the sorrowful, you are attentive to the prayers of the brokenhearted. Hear your people who cry out to you in their need; strengthen their hope in your lasting goodness.

We pray today for those who have died because of violence, of terrorism (especially George Floyd this day). Draw them to yourself; let your face shine upon them. May they be greeted with choirs of angels and experience your eternal peace and joy.

Be near to all those who have been touched by violence: those who have been hurt, lost their loved ones or lost their sense of security. Be for them a steady comfort and safe resting place.

Soften the hearts and steady of the minds of those who would do violence to others. May hate be replaced with love, violence with peace and darkness with your light.  Amen.

 

Gracious Lord,

we dream of a world free of poverty and oppression,

and we yearn for a world free of vengeance and violence.

we pray for your peace.

When our hearts ache for the victims of war, [racial violence] and oppression, help us to remember that you healed people simply by touching them, and give us faith in our ability to comfort and heal bodies and minds and spirits that have been broken by violence.

 

When the injustice of this world seems too much for us to handle,

help us to remember that you fed five thousand people

with only five loaves of bread and two fish…,

and give us hope that what we have to offer will turn out to be enough, too.

 

When fear of the power and opinions of others

tempts us not to speak up for the least among us,

help us to remember that you dared to turn over the tables of money changers, and give us the courage to risk following you without counting the cost.

 

When we feel ourselves fill with anger at those who are violent and oppressive, help us remember that you prayed for those who killed you, and give us compassion for our enemies, too.

 

When we tell ourselves that we have given all we can to bring peace to this world,

help us to remember your sacrifice… ,

and give us the miracle of losing a little more of ourselves

in serving you and our neighbors.

 

Walk with us, Lord, as we answer your call to be peacemakers.

Increase our compassion, our generosity and our hospitality for the least of your children.

Give us the courage, the patience, the serenity, the self-honesty and the gentleness of spirit that are needed in a world filled with turmoil and terror.  Amen.

written by Jack Knox, pastor of Salem (Oregon) Mennonite Church

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

1900 Pennsylvania Ave.

Allentown, PA 18109-3187

 

The Rev. Dr. Gerard Gaeta OblSB

grgaeta@aol.com

 

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Email: saec@ptd.net

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Ministers of the Parish

 

The Rt. Rev. Kevin Nichols

Bishop

 

The Rev. Dr. Gerard Gaeta OblSB

Supply Priest (through 2023)

 

The Rev. Lane Perdue Ob/SJB

Deacon

 

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Parish Administrator

 

Sandra Evans

Organist/ Choir Director

 

Mark Shipman

Finance Committee Chair

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