How do you pray when every prayer feels too divisive to speak out loud? (please delete this comment if it's too ugly)
I pray all the "but I know some really nice cops!" will stop being used to justify downplaying the fact that our national police force and judicial system as a whole are overwhelmingly interwoven with racism, and have been from the start.
I pray all the "I don't see race; I'm colorblind" dismissive-type insults will end and people will realize it's white privilege that allows such things to be said in the first place.
I pray all the white people will being realizing they benefit every day from a culture of racism, even if they themselves---on the surface---are against racism.
I pray white people will start rooting out the myriad of microaggressions and racist behaviors, comments, thoughts, and feelings they are experiencing daily without ever even realizing it.
I pray people will stop congratulating me on my transition because, "now you'll get to experience so much more white male privilege!" is not a fucking good thing at all.
I pray that when black men are arrested on the side of the road, white people will stop their own cars and start filming, just in case.
I pray I don't ever again have to explain to my friends overseas that the riots were going to get the cop arrested because peaceful protests by oppressed groups aren't taken seriously.
It’s a great prayer. It’s honest, sincere and most importantly, it’s in line with Jesus’ heart when He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied “💞
Wow!! So good and powerful Nadia and Charlie. I am humbled by these prayers and so hope I walk each day one step closer to heaven. While I move may I have the compassion, empathy and courage to speak the True Name of Christ and live out the meaning amongst my neighbors as Jesus would do.
Thanksgiving. For Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Right on the front lines, and instead of shutting their doors, kept them open all night for several nights this week. Not to protect items, but to serve the community: as a medic station, as a place for healing. They now have chaplains, and therapists. A prayer for the tired spirit of Pastor Ingrid Rasmussen who ministered to thousands of people this way.
I have not had the words to explain why I am in the Church, but you gave the words I needed.
“why are you still connected to the institution of the church?” I can only answer, “because I believe that scripture and theology and liturgy are too potent to be left in the hands of those who only use them to justify their dominance over another group of people”
Amen - from a girl over the pond in the UK - we stole that land first and you fought us to steal it off us - when it wasn't ours to begin with. We stole people and sent you slaves. And you copied us - you learned from the worst of us and America now is what the UK was in the 19th century. I am claiming your prayers for my land too because we are no better than you; our hands are just as dirty.
Good morning from Charleston, SC, where like many others we went to bed watching our city explode with frustration last night. As MLK preached, “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”
So this morning, I will pray that we are up for hewing out of this mountain of despair that stone of hope. I will pray that white America recognizes that for this to happen, we must finally shed the pretense of inculpability. I will pray that white America starts voting for candidates who listen to black voices and value black lives, or, even better, voting for black candidates. I will pray that white America insists on racial bias audits and training for our police forces. I will pray that white America becomes more outraged about a white police officer kneeling and crushing a black man’s neck than we are about a black athlete kneeling during the national anthem. I will pray that white America finally recognizes that the former is the reason for the later. I will pray “Black lives matter” and for the courage to do the work necessary until indeed all lives matter.
After the death of George Floyd I prayed for sleepless nights for lawmakers, for the police force, for folks whose hearts were hard against the voices calling out what was sick in our country. Today, I give thanks that I belong to a God who always sides with the oppressed and I pray for liberation in Christ for those who prefer peace to justice, without recognizing the tension between those two ideals.
Today, God, I give thanks for yesterday. For the peaceful march & protest our town had. For the support of our mayor & police. For the raised voices of grief & outrage. For the singing of hope. For the unity shown by all. For my friend who planned it & just hoped people showed up. For the hope in her eyes when there was a huge turnout from every part of our community. For the hope it brought my heart to see her feel well loved & well supported. For a moment of lightness in such a time of heaviness.
God, incarnate in the black body of Jesus, give us who move with white privilege in the world the grace to be silent and listen - and then to follow - Black, brown, and Indigenous leaders
I am in Canada and we will often However It feels perhaps not often enough acknowledge that we are on treaty territory At the beginning of assemblies but what I have not heard in the acknowledgement is “ and pay my respect to their elders both past and present.” When I read that it brought tears to my eyes and heart and I will encourage that to be added to acknowledgements. Thank you.
From an Aussie girl: Thank you for your prayer. We are all praying right now for God's justice and mercy to prevail. May God's kingdom come, may God's will be done.
Just a bit of history: Actually Australia didn't get 1st pick! The US was settled 180 years before Australia. The first colony was founded in the US at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Australia's 1st settlement was established at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 and its treatment of its original people has not been much better than the US's. White man's inhumane treatment of indigenous people is atrocious! The 'Welcome to Country' ceremony was first conducted at an official ceremony in 1999 during the NSW Supreme Court's 175th anniversary. It was first introduced at the start of parliament in 2008 and now forms a regular element of Australian political process. The most recent national snapshot shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up more than a quarter — 28 % — of Australia's total prison population, even though they make up just 3% of the broader population. More than 400 Indigenous Australians have died in custody since the end of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991.
I work in the behavioral health industry in south western Washington state. Any time we have a meeting which is somehow connected to traditional lands, the meeting begins with acknowledging the land. It is a moment of pause, a moment of perspective, and a moment of respect.
Please pray for the incarcerated. Especially the women in MD. They are on lockdown due to staffing shortages. Since they can't work they are not being paid and can't afford personal hygiene supplies. Pray for patience and grace for the ladies. Also for wisdom in the face of unprecedented challenges for the administration and staff.
In the midst of this very serious crisis we need to remember that so many are hurting.
This is why I needed to become part of this community. Thank you Nadia for putting words to what so many of us are feeling. "This is why when people ask me, “why are you still connected to the institution of the church?” I can only answer, “because I believe that scripture and theology and liturgy are too potent to be left in the hands of those who only use them to justify their dominance over another group of people”
I also believe:
that God is powerful enough to guide us in the dismantling of the evil that has been done in God’s name.
My Musical and Liturgical director at my church wrote a wonderful song to the “Canticle of theTurning”. If you’re interested, it’s on YouTube. Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney.
My soul is crying out for justice and healing and change. Your prayers speak to the heaviness in my heart. Thank you. ❤️
I’m a moment of what in retrospect feels like absolutely Pentecost energy, I kicked off the process of exiting the church where I’ve been a member since coming back to faith about 6 years ago. It was for a lot of reasons (and many petty and personal LBR I’m sure I’m part of the problem) but mostly the total lack response to what is going on now on top of a history of prioritizing the comfort of our rich white congregants over taking a stand and being, ya know, Christians and on the right side of history. My heart is broken but I’m relieved.
If anyone has recommendations for churches in Chicago (ahem not St Pauls UCC) of any denomination with a heart for social justice, so long as they are explicitly open and affirming and have open communion, I’d really appreciate it
St. Luke's of Logan Square https://stlukesls.org/. Pastor Erin https://erinbranchaud.wordpress.com/ & pastoral intern Elle https://elledowd.com/ are brilliant, inspiring, wonderful people who brought me back into the church with their commitment to living faith. Check their blogs for sermons and hopefully you will be blessed by them like I have been.
How do you pray when every prayer feels too divisive to speak out loud? (please delete this comment if it's too ugly)
I pray all the "but I know some really nice cops!" will stop being used to justify downplaying the fact that our national police force and judicial system as a whole are overwhelmingly interwoven with racism, and have been from the start.
I pray all the "I don't see race; I'm colorblind" dismissive-type insults will end and people will realize it's white privilege that allows such things to be said in the first place.
I pray all the white people will being realizing they benefit every day from a culture of racism, even if they themselves---on the surface---are against racism.
I pray white people will start rooting out the myriad of microaggressions and racist behaviors, comments, thoughts, and feelings they are experiencing daily without ever even realizing it.
I pray people will stop congratulating me on my transition because, "now you'll get to experience so much more white male privilege!" is not a fucking good thing at all.
I pray that when black men are arrested on the side of the road, white people will stop their own cars and start filming, just in case.
I pray I don't ever again have to explain to my friends overseas that the riots were going to get the cop arrested because peaceful protests by oppressed groups aren't taken seriously.
Lord, hear our prayers.
It’s a great prayer. It’s honest, sincere and most importantly, it’s in line with Jesus’ heart when He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied “💞
Wow!! So good and powerful Nadia and Charlie. I am humbled by these prayers and so hope I walk each day one step closer to heaven. While I move may I have the compassion, empathy and courage to speak the True Name of Christ and live out the meaning amongst my neighbors as Jesus would do.
Amen!
Thanksgiving. For Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Right on the front lines, and instead of shutting their doors, kept them open all night for several nights this week. Not to protect items, but to serve the community: as a medic station, as a place for healing. They now have chaplains, and therapists. A prayer for the tired spirit of Pastor Ingrid Rasmussen who ministered to thousands of people this way.
I have not had the words to explain why I am in the Church, but you gave the words I needed.
“why are you still connected to the institution of the church?” I can only answer, “because I believe that scripture and theology and liturgy are too potent to be left in the hands of those who only use them to justify their dominance over another group of people”
Exactly
Amen - from a girl over the pond in the UK - we stole that land first and you fought us to steal it off us - when it wasn't ours to begin with. We stole people and sent you slaves. And you copied us - you learned from the worst of us and America now is what the UK was in the 19th century. I am claiming your prayers for my land too because we are no better than you; our hands are just as dirty.
Good morning from Charleston, SC, where like many others we went to bed watching our city explode with frustration last night. As MLK preached, “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”
So this morning, I will pray that we are up for hewing out of this mountain of despair that stone of hope. I will pray that white America recognizes that for this to happen, we must finally shed the pretense of inculpability. I will pray that white America starts voting for candidates who listen to black voices and value black lives, or, even better, voting for black candidates. I will pray that white America insists on racial bias audits and training for our police forces. I will pray that white America becomes more outraged about a white police officer kneeling and crushing a black man’s neck than we are about a black athlete kneeling during the national anthem. I will pray that white America finally recognizes that the former is the reason for the later. I will pray “Black lives matter” and for the courage to do the work necessary until indeed all lives matter.
After the death of George Floyd I prayed for sleepless nights for lawmakers, for the police force, for folks whose hearts were hard against the voices calling out what was sick in our country. Today, I give thanks that I belong to a God who always sides with the oppressed and I pray for liberation in Christ for those who prefer peace to justice, without recognizing the tension between those two ideals.
Today, God, I give thanks for yesterday. For the peaceful march & protest our town had. For the support of our mayor & police. For the raised voices of grief & outrage. For the singing of hope. For the unity shown by all. For my friend who planned it & just hoped people showed up. For the hope in her eyes when there was a huge turnout from every part of our community. For the hope it brought my heart to see her feel well loved & well supported. For a moment of lightness in such a time of heaviness.
Amen
God, incarnate in the black body of Jesus, give us who move with white privilege in the world the grace to be silent and listen - and then to follow - Black, brown, and Indigenous leaders
Give me ears to hear and eyes to see. To be the difference and not the problem. Strength to the suffering.
I am in Canada and we will often However It feels perhaps not often enough acknowledge that we are on treaty territory At the beginning of assemblies but what I have not heard in the acknowledgement is “ and pay my respect to their elders both past and present.” When I read that it brought tears to my eyes and heart and I will encourage that to be added to acknowledgements. Thank you.
From an Aussie girl: Thank you for your prayer. We are all praying right now for God's justice and mercy to prevail. May God's kingdom come, may God's will be done.
Just a bit of history: Actually Australia didn't get 1st pick! The US was settled 180 years before Australia. The first colony was founded in the US at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Australia's 1st settlement was established at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 and its treatment of its original people has not been much better than the US's. White man's inhumane treatment of indigenous people is atrocious! The 'Welcome to Country' ceremony was first conducted at an official ceremony in 1999 during the NSW Supreme Court's 175th anniversary. It was first introduced at the start of parliament in 2008 and now forms a regular element of Australian political process. The most recent national snapshot shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up more than a quarter — 28 % — of Australia's total prison population, even though they make up just 3% of the broader population. More than 400 Indigenous Australians have died in custody since the end of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991.
I work in the behavioral health industry in south western Washington state. Any time we have a meeting which is somehow connected to traditional lands, the meeting begins with acknowledging the land. It is a moment of pause, a moment of perspective, and a moment of respect.
Please pray for the incarcerated. Especially the women in MD. They are on lockdown due to staffing shortages. Since they can't work they are not being paid and can't afford personal hygiene supplies. Pray for patience and grace for the ladies. Also for wisdom in the face of unprecedented challenges for the administration and staff.
In the midst of this very serious crisis we need to remember that so many are hurting.
This is why I needed to become part of this community. Thank you Nadia for putting words to what so many of us are feeling. "This is why when people ask me, “why are you still connected to the institution of the church?” I can only answer, “because I believe that scripture and theology and liturgy are too potent to be left in the hands of those who only use them to justify their dominance over another group of people”
I also believe:
that God is powerful enough to guide us in the dismantling of the evil that has been done in God’s name.
that this is holy work and
that God’s Spirit will accompany us. "
My Musical and Liturgical director at my church wrote a wonderful song to the “Canticle of theTurning”. If you’re interested, it’s on YouTube. Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney.
My soul is crying out for justice and healing and change. Your prayers speak to the heaviness in my heart. Thank you. ❤️
I’m a moment of what in retrospect feels like absolutely Pentecost energy, I kicked off the process of exiting the church where I’ve been a member since coming back to faith about 6 years ago. It was for a lot of reasons (and many petty and personal LBR I’m sure I’m part of the problem) but mostly the total lack response to what is going on now on top of a history of prioritizing the comfort of our rich white congregants over taking a stand and being, ya know, Christians and on the right side of history. My heart is broken but I’m relieved.
If anyone has recommendations for churches in Chicago (ahem not St Pauls UCC) of any denomination with a heart for social justice, so long as they are explicitly open and affirming and have open communion, I’d really appreciate it
St. Luke's of Logan Square https://stlukesls.org/. Pastor Erin https://erinbranchaud.wordpress.com/ & pastoral intern Elle https://elledowd.com/ are brilliant, inspiring, wonderful people who brought me back into the church with their commitment to living faith. Check their blogs for sermons and hopefully you will be blessed by them like I have been.