A PRAYER FOR HEALING

Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You today acknowledging You as the Almighty One and seeking Your guidance in all things. We pray that You open our minds and hearts to Your wisdom and the understanding of Your word. Father, there’s a storm in our land and we need Your healing. Many of us have had our hearts broken and we are in despair because we have once again witness injustice. Black men and women are killed for no valid reason, and people of all color are tired of this callous treatment. Lord, we are crying out to You. Help us to lean on our faith and stand up for what is right. You have stated in Your word that You will never leave us nor forsake us; You are our helper and we will not be afraid. Let our voices be heard as we come together as one in this protest. We pray for Your love to surround us while we demonstrate, and Your shield of protection to keep us from the dangers of violence and the virus as we march in unity.

Lord, we pray for a change in the attitudes of police officers, from the chiefs to the patrolmen, to show restraint in their handling of all people. Infiltrate their stations so that they feel Your presence and begin to operate with compassion and respect in the communities they serve. We have fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who are police officers and we pray that You keep them safe as they protect us.

Everyone can see the physical and overt expressions of racism but most of us have to deal with subtle forms of discrimination on a daily basis. We encounter this in work environments, schools, businesses, and in social inequities, such as education, employment, health care, housing, and income. Lord, we pray that You lift up leaders who are filled with humility and empathy as You give them wisdom to enact change that will make a real impact. Guide and direct them in Your way and give them insight to lead with clarity. May they be open to having the honest and difficult conversations to forge a new path. We look for them in all walks of life—student councils, religious institutions, board rooms, political arenas, and grassroots community organizations — as well as private citizens. Let us help them in their innovative efforts as they remain diligent and steadfast in Your word.

Father, we pray that You watch over our Black, Brown, and White family members and friends. Comfort and strengthen us to live bold and confident lives, free from hopelessness. Create in us a deep love to flow and spread out to everyone as You heal our nation. May we continue to lean on You for courage and support as You nourish our spirits and give us hope for a brighter future. We thank You for our collective blessings as we remember You are the light of our salvation. These and all blessings we pray in the name of Jesus, amen.