May 30, 2021
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, members of the clergy class of 2020 are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week.
You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.
Today's Prayer
I write this in the aftermath of yet more reports of racially motivated violence, and with the anniversary of the death of George Floyd on the horizon: A Lament for a Time Such as This How many times, O God? How many times must we forgive? We are your children who celebrate your Divine love of justice and mercy, But also know the injustice of the failures of your people to teach others how to turn their swords into plowshares, The ones who claim a faith where all those led by the Spirit are siblings, equal in your eyes, But do not see all your children as equal in their own. How many times must we bend to systems and institutions that were never made for us, But wants to make us part of the system? How many times must we turn the other cheek, But only find ourselves punched in the gut? How many times must we model acceptance, But not know our true selves wholly accepted? How many times must the burden of the work of antiracism fall on the shoulders of the oppressed, But rarely on the shoulders of the oppressor? How many times must we be told to be peaceful in our protest, But what they really mean is “don’t you make no trouble?” How many siblings of different races, identities, and ethnicities must fall before we are no longer able to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps? How many times can we be told to return to our countries, to own blame for a culture designed to oppress us, to play the role of the “good” Christian, But not ask “why should we?” And why must we? How many times, O God? The whole of creation waits breathless with anticipation for your answer, Lord. How many times? Pastor Alicia Vélez Stewart, East Bridgewater UMC and Bridgewater UMC, MA Inspired by Romans 8:12-17
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