Whatever the color of our skin, there is much to grieve and lament over right now. So many of us are hurting. So many of us feel powerless to help. Those of us who are not people of color want to stand with our brothers and sisters, but sometimes are unsure how to.
But all of us can pray. And all of us must pray.
So we’ve invited women of color to help all of us lift our eyes to the Lord of all and speak to him as our Father about the times we’re walking through. Each day for the next week or two, visit this blog and you’ll find a video, voice recording, or written prayer that will help you to pray into this situation.
We’re honored that serving us today is Jamie R. Love, the Director of Women’s Ministries at New Life Fellowship Church, Waukegan, IL, an instructor in The “Ivy” League Bible Study Fellowship, and an author.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We come to you today in the name and on the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are living in some dark days and our hearts are burdened with hurt, mourning, anger, fear, and a host of other emotions that only the Holy Spirit can utter.
But You said we must cast our cares upon You because You care for us. You said we must not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving we must make our request to You. You also said we must with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.
Lord, we are in a time of great need. You know all about the plight and inhumane treatment of our people since we landed on the shores of what is now the United States of America. Our journey has not been easy. From the slave ships that transported our stolen bodies from our homeland, to the cruelty of the whip upon our backs, to the rape of our women, to the scattering of our families, to the segregation of Jim Crow and even unto today where it has become commonplace to see our people slain in the streets by those sworn to serve and protect us. It has not been easy, Lord.
Adding sorrow and frustration to our pain is the indifference of many of our white Christian brothers and sisters. A saint of old said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” We have endured the dreadful silence and inaction of our Christian brothers and sisters on our behalf. They have often stood on the side of, and joined in with, our oppressors, much like Saul of Tarsus who, before his conversion, watched over the garments of those who murdered Stephen.
We are asking You to rend the heavens and come down to these United States of America. We are seeking you in the same way the Hebrew children sought you during their bondage in Egypt. You said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people Who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them…” Lord, see our afflictions and hear our cry!
The taskmasters who wield the whip of racism and injustice has never been restrained nor has his authority declined in the 400 plus years we have been sojourners in this land. Because of his merciless racism, “justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public square and uprightness cannot enter.”
Father, amid our struggle, it is our aim to honor and glorify You in our fight for the dignity of Your image bearers. While we wait for Your hand of justice to move against our adversaries, we ask that through these trials we become better not bitter. Lord be our strength and our guide. May the families of the recently slain, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd find the peace that only comes from knowing Jesus as Savior Who promised that He Himself would be our peace.
We pray all these things in the Matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jamie R. Love is also a contributor to His Testimonies, My Heritage. Hear the voices of women of color on the most important subject in any age—the word of God.
Hear the voices of women of colour on the most important subject in any age—the word of God.
This inspiring collection of devotions is by a diverse group of women of color—African-American, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Asian women. Contributors include Kristie Anyabwile, Jackie Hill-Perry, Trillia Newbell, Elicia Horton, Christina Edmondson, Blair Linne, Bev Chao Berrus and more.
