Loving God,
As the sins of systemic racism and police brutality rear their heads once more,
meet us in our anger, sorrow, and frustration.
Guard us from indifference, ignorance and silence.
As Black lives continue to be taken too soon,
and because all were named and loved,
we lift names to you, in remembrance and resolve:
George Floyd,
Ahmaud Arbery,
Belly Mujinga,
Darren Cumberbatch,
Olaseni Lewis,
Sean Rigg,
Mike Brown,
Breonna Taylor,
and so many more.
As righteous anger overflows onto the streets,
we join in with the holy cry of “how long O Lord?”
While we pray for peace, may civility not become the enemy of justice.
We lament that past protest has fallen on deaf ears,
and pray for a world transformed by your love.
We plead, for Black communities: justice, safety, equality.
For those who could choose to look away: repentance, education, solidarity.
Help us to declare in word and deed:
Black Lives Matter.
Amen.
