It is important to speak a word about the recent grand jury decision in Ferguson, MO. First, it is sad to think how few congregations are likely commenting in worship on the recent events in Ferguson. It is a big part of the problem if people of faith are not talking honestly about the lingering sin of racism in America. Second, the strategy of releasing all the data and testimony after the Ferguson trial served its purpose of deflecting the country from the real issues at stake. The appearance of legality is not the same thing as the presence of justice. The fundamental issue had less to do with Michael Brown and Darren Wilson and much more to do with a persistent pattern of socially accepted violence against people of color, and whether or not the criminal justice system can be trusted. Using lethal force against unarmed African Americans must stop being the default response of police officers.
Lastly, the riots and anger over the flawed non-decision against Darren Wilson are symptoms of a larger dissatisfaction – of mothers tired of fearing for their sons’ safety or grieving over their untimely deaths, and of families caught in the modern Jim Crowism of unfair educational systems, unfair employment opportunities, and prejudicial criminal justice laws ensuring that people of color remain shackled and hamstrung generation after generation. Protectors of white privilege will always find reasons to blame the victim. People of faith need to find the courage to say “No more” as part of our faith in Jesus Christ, a man of color executed after a flawed grand jury trial long ago.
In seeking that courage, let us now join together in a time of prayer. Let us pray.
Merciful God, you call us to goodness and open our eyes to see the paths of righteousness we should walk by faith. You encourage us to look for the signs of your coming and to keep watch. As we wait, we pray for this world that needs your saving power.
We pray for people living in nations at war – and we pray against those who choose to profit through supplying weapons or spreading messages of hatred.
We pray for people who suffer from violence in the streets or in their homes – and we pray against laws that intentionally discriminate, policies that are unjust and oppressive, and social complacency that shrugs off mothers weeping over their dead sons.
We pray for those who are ill, captive to disease or despair – and we pray against barriers to compassionate health care for all, and against advertisers hawking products that only lead to bodily harm or corrupting the image of God in each person.
We pray for those who have never heard of your rescuing love and those who have lost hope – even as we pray against the practices within the church that distort the gospel you entrusted to us and against the gospel of Mammon outside the church that sacrifices bodies and souls on the altar of the pursuit of wealth.
We pray for ourselves, for our children, our parents, our families, friends and neighbors – both here and around the world. May we work in confidence for your coming reign, living Lord, that we may greet you with joy on the great day of your healing of the world. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.
Let us pray that we as Parents can become better stewards of our Children
Teaching them to respect others, to be kind to others – especially those less powerful,
To in turn respect themselves by showing deference to just and fair authority as it is granted to protect us all.
To pay homage to life and all the joys it may bring by contributing to the betterment of all those around them.
To find Humility and understand better the sin of Arrogance.
To listen with reason to any situation and to discern the truth from the facts of a matter and not what others tell them.
To be slow to Anger and quick to Forgiveness
To use this Strength of Purpose in helping to abate the continuing and relentless slaughter of our children by each other.
To This Lord we Pray.
Amen.
Thank you Pastor Randy! God gives guidance and speaks through your eloquence and passion.
Amen