A Prayer for Reconciliation

During this time of unrest in our country I’ve taken the time to quiet myself, my opinions, and my thoughts.

Rather than talk the issue over and over again I chose to stop. Listen to the voices crying out for justice and the fall of ignorance.

It’s been an uncomfortable time of feeling the constant urge to shift in my seat as I reexamine my life, my thoughts, my words, my actions, everything.

I’ve been so grateful for the voices of my black brothers and sisters in Christ who graciously and generously try to educate the rest of us on their experiences.

I’ve been so humbled by their vulnerability in sharing the experience of a black man or woman and challenged as I think about the unconscious prejudices I hold.

As I sat on our couch (my assigned seat during the quarantine) and held our son in my arms, I thought about the mothers who did the exact same thing with their children knowing what their experience would be in this world.

I cannot imagine telling my son he will be treated differently because of the color of his skin.

I cannot imagine telling my son how to act in public to avoid suspicion or to appear non-threatening when he is simply checking the mailbox or taking a walk.

I cannot imagine watching my son leave the house wondering if he will make it back alive.

My heart feels heavy with the weight of learning through this time, and I have so much learning left to do. I will never stop learning.

I pray that God continues His refining work in me, that He searches my heart and prunes out all prejudice that exists there.

May God hold His hand of protection and safety over the people standing in protest, calling out for change;

Let God take hold of the hearts of our leaders and the Holy Spirit move in them, convicting them to change what needs to be changed;

May He be our guidepost, our compass, and our way-finder as many of us navigate these new waters of understanding the experiences of our brothers and sisters;

May our Father be the boundary-maker in our lives, protecting us from harm and showing us the way we should go;

May the Holy Spirit be the comforter to those who are hurting and grieving, and be a reminder that joy is not a circumstantial emotion.