GRACE and RACE LITANY and PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
We gather, burdened by the weight of injustice and racial disparity
God lift us up, be our strength and our guide
We gather as the “walking wounded” in need of healing from hurts we have felt and given
God, heal us, be our strength and our guide
We gather, searching, confused, and not knowing all the answers
God, give us clarity and calm our spirits as we search for your answers
We gather, for understanding of our differences, our sameness, and our uniqueness
God, open our minds and hearts to new truths
We gather, to honor the people who have labored before us, trying to move us as a beloved community
God, help us to remember and be our strength and our guide
We gather, to strengthen each other, having felt all alone in our desire for reconciliation
God, bind us together, be our strength and our guide
We gather, longing for the beauty of kaleidoscope worship, which celebrates all the colors of us who are made in your image
God, grant us the desires of our heart, be our strength and our guide
We gather, hungry for the “bread of peace”
Bread of Heaven, feed us until we want no more
We gather, so that we won’t forget that racism yet exists in the church
God, help us to remember and learn from our mistakes, be our strength and our guide
We gather, to prepare ourselves to work for love and justice
God, renew our hope and persuade us to work while it is day
We gather, to learn from each other, so that our work won’t be in vain
God teach us thy ways, as we share our gifts
We gather, thirsty for the water of forgiveness
God forgive us, be our strength and our guide
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that every people and nation may serve you in harmony; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Prepared by the Rev. Kelly D. Bayer Derrick, August 2017
Adapted from Grace and Race Litany, by Rev. Renee Williams-Thomas December 2008 (Graceandrace.org)
With materials from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #37867.