A Blessing and Prayer for The Call to Minneapolis 2026

You go with resolve,
with compassion,
with holy anger rooted in scripture.
Scripture where "welcome the stranger"
is a steady drumbeat,
the rhythm behind holy words.
You answer the call.
You walk in the footsteps
of clergy called to Selma
as witnesses to cruelty,
witnesses to love that overcomes.
You go as learners seeking wisdom
for days ahead
we pray we don't see. 
But if we do,
the torch you will light within yourself in Minnesota
will go with you to ignite others,
strengthening the force of justice and freedom
in Missouri and New Jersey
in Texas and North Carolina
in Kentucky and Kansas,
in all the places you call home.

Go forth beloved, 
proclaiming indeed the belovedness of all,
the humanity of all,
the worthiness of every life.
Go forth preaching God's justice -
justice that does not destroy
but heals.
Go forth as witnesses,
like Mary who stood at the foot of the cross
and did not look away. 
Go forth as resistors,
stepping into a broken reality
and saying no more will this stand.
Go forth as community,
connected with one another,
your impact magnified by your unity.

For those who stay behind,
Stay with purpose,
offering support - financial, material, or spiritual
as you are able.
Stay with courage,
knowing the day may come
when a call comes for you to answer.
Stay with prayer,
surrounding those who go now
with the strength of holy connection.
Stay with hope,
believing a difference can be made
because we are not alone. 
Stay with love,
finding ways to witness and respond
right where you are.

To those in Minneapolis,
We give thanks for your call.
We give thanks for your courage in the face of great evil.
We give thanks for your hospitality.
We pray for miracles of justice and peace to descend with great speed.
We pray for safety, for endurance, for strength. 
We pray for the lives of each neighbor taken from safety, each observer assaulted, each family facing the unknown.
We pray for the collective grief and trauma that is transforming your community.
We pray for God to change the hearts of those who pursue violence and terror.
We pray for holy retribution, knowing God angers at power abused.

We join with the Psalmists praying for the smiting of their enemies.
We join with Mary praying for the powerful to be brought down from their thrones and the lowly lifted up. 
We join with Jesus praying for this cup to pass us by.

Almighty God,
We give thanks for the drumbeat of your call
to welcome, to care, to love,
that drives us forward each day.

Surround those who march for righteousness, stand as witnesses to evil, and protect the vulnerable. 
May they know your strength and your peace. 
Remove your Spirit from those who harm your beloved children. 
May they know true justice in the face of their unjust acts.
Prevent escalation,
let there be no more martyrs. 
Do not let our hearts be hardened.

Instead,
ignite our imaginations with possibility and hope,
as we make our way forward with courage and conviction. 
Ignite our tongues with the fire of truth,
as we name racism for the sin it is.
Ignite our minds with wisdom
as we discern what is ours to do.
Ignite our hearts with love
as we face cruel hatred.

May your will be done. 
May your vision for this world be fulfilled.
Amen.

Rev. Sarah Kingsbery
January 21, 2026
https://www.marchminnesota.org/