A Prayer of Confession: Racism

I had another prayer scheduled to post yesterday. Instead today I offer some suggestions for people to read/follow/listen to (#amplifymelanatedvoices) and a prayer of confession.

Austin Channing Brown Website / Facebook / Instagram / 2018 Sermon

Terri Hord Owens (General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Facebook

The Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D. Website/Twitter

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II Twitter / Pastoral Letter to the Nation

Rev. Traci Blackmon Facebook / Twitter

Dr. Dara Cobb Facebook (The Devoted Life)

Prayers from Terry Instagram

Black Coffee with White Friends Website / Instagram

Morgan Harper Nichols Website / Instagram

Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of injustice,

to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:6

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A Prayer of Confession: Racism

God of justice,

We come before you too late

with hearts heavy and sadden by the long history of injustice that has occurred

while we sat silent, as we turned away.

For ways we have perpetuated microaggressions and systematic oppression,

and allowed ingrained fear to shape our behaviors and judgments,

We repent.

For times we have replied to another's pain and anguish and cry for justice

with "but..." or "if only..."

we seek forgiveness.

For ways the systems we support, work and live within

treat Black people, all people of color as less than wholly your beloved children

we confess our complicity and our silence.

For moments when we have centered our guilt and our pain

over the experiences and work of those most affected,

we step aside and create space for other voices.

.

.

.

We trust in the power of your forgiveness

and also know the work does not end here.

There are policies to change, restitution to be made.

Stir within us courage to speak up and out against racism and oppression

More importantly, help us to listen well to the stories of others.

Let what we learn and hear change us,

so we may work together to change our communities and our country.

In places we have power,

may we use it for peacemaking (not just peacekeeping), for justice, for love.

May we step aside so others may be empowered.

Our confession and our prayers do not stop here.

Let them be the life we live and not just the words we say.

May it be so.

Black Lives Matter.

June 1, 2020