NIGHT PRAYER: MLK Day 1/16

For more than seven decades, Lord,

I've lived a life of privilege and promise,

promises kept 

by a nation, a Church and a culture

that taught me in oh-so-many ways

that somehow I deserve, am owed,

have even merited all the gifts and blessings

that come my way and fill my lap...

For more than seven decades, Lord,

I've walked the streets as a tall, white male,

watchful of the routes I take

but, by and large, feeling free to walk

wherever I have a mind to go, day or night,

with friends or on my own...

 

For more than seven decades, Lord,

I've trusted that the world around

to welcome me, understand me,

help me, encourage me, forgive me,

reward me and tell me in so many ways,

"You're good, we like you, you're one of us..."

 

So, it's only from outside, Lord,

that I observe the life of sisters and brothers,

your daughters and sons, who are, daily,

identified, classified and marginalized 

simply on account of their color, 

deeper and richer than the pale canvas

on which my own life is painted...

 

For more than seven decades, Lord, 

I was raised and taught not to be racist

but now I'm learning, I'm beginning to see

- that isn't enough...

If it's not too late, Lord, 

(and I don't believe it ever is)

help me become anti-racist:

   to engage where I've been passive;

   to speak where I've been silent;

   to do as I say I believe;

   to go where I've not been;

   to read beyond my usual shelf;

   to listen to music I've never sung;

   to come to know the family I say I love

        - but, in truth, have never met...

 

Help me understand, Lord,

    that racism is a sin,

    and anti-racism a virtue;

remind me that for a Christian

    simply avoiding sin is not enough:

we're called, each one of us, 

    to a live a life of virtue...

Help me not only see the problem, Lord,

   but also to become part of its resolution;

help me work for the very change 

   I espouse, pray and vote for...

 

And change me, Lord, from deep within,

   from the inside out, in mind and heart,

change me 

   and how I see the world you've made

   and how I love the whole human family,

      the household of your love... 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me as I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

          performed by performed by Committed

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,  

Ring with the harmonies of liberty;  

Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,  

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.  

Sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us,  

Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us; 

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,  

Let us march on till victory is won.  

 

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, 

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;  

Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet,  

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?  

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,  

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; 

Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last 

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.  

 

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,  

Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;  

Thou who hast by Thy might, led us into the light,  

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.  

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,  

Lest our hearts, drunk of the wine of the world, we forget Thee.  

Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,  

True to our God, true to our native land.

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