Prayer
Invitation to Prayer
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of our Ancestors is our refuge and our strength.
(Based on Psalm 46: 10-11 adapted)
Song
Lift Every Voice and Sing
(words: James Weldon Johnson; music: J. Rosamund Johnson)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz39lqrGcy4
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:7-9
7 But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may become perfect.
Prayers of Intercession
Loving and compassionate God, we your people, painfully acknowledge the horrific ongoing legacy of colonialism across the continent, made explicit in the thousands of unmarked, and hidden, graves of Indigenous children and enslaved peoples across North America. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
We deeply lament acts of racial intimidation such as the recent bomb threats at Historically Black Colleges in the United States and the systemic support of White supremacy in governments, schools, correctional institutions, health care systems, immigration policies and faith structures. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
We pray for ongoing healing from intergenerational trauma and internalized racism and our shared work towards dismantling all systems of oppression and hate. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
We pray for your courage and wisdom in the fight against the policing of conversations about systemic racism that limit the depth of dialogue, understanding and attempts to diminish and dismiss truthful conversations. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
God of truth, we pray for spaces and places where wisdom and truth telling are sought after and honoured. May the human dignities and rights of all people be respected and upheld at all times. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
We are grateful for the Spirit of fellowship among Indigenous and racialized peoples that creates spaces for honest dialogue, affirmation and validation for shared lived experiences. We give thanks too for all who affirm their beauty, worth and dignity. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
God of all comfort, we pray for all who provide physical and emotional support (counsellors, teachers, therapists, ministers, social workers etc.) for the many ways racism negatively impacts our wellbeing. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
Loving God, we applaud all who bravely name the evils of racism and the legacy of colonialism. May we be in solidarity with those who speak truth in places of hostility and lead us to celebrate and give thanks at all times that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made. God of mercy and compassion…
Hear our prayer.
Blessing
Do you not know that you are God's temple
and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
No matter what others may say,
know that God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
(based on 1 Corinthians 3:16a,17)
Wherever you are, whatever your circumstance:
May you know deeply the radical wisdom of God,
and seek it in all you do;
May you experience the liberating love of Jesus,
and share it with everyone you meet;
And may you live the welcome of the Holy Spirit,
and offer fellowship to those following the way of love and justice.
Amen and Ashe.