Washington, D.C. – Today, as we hear the thousands of voices across our nation calling for an end to systemic racism and injustice, violence, and oppression and mourn the more than 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19, we are compelled to lift our collective Christian voice and send this prayer.
We must work together to right the wrongs that have been laid bare for the world to see and begin to build a society based on justice, wisdom, and racial equity so that all may flourish in its abundance.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with all of those suffering in this time of mourning. We hope that you will join us in this season of Pentecost as we call upon the power and presence of the Holy Spirit for such a time as this.
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Come, Holy Spirit, Come
We long for your shalom—for the healing, wholeness, and restoration of your people and your world. We long to know your abundance and your peace.
Yet many of us participate and uphold the systems of evil, injustice, and oppression that are established to privilege some and hinder the breath of others.
These systems are unveiled and exposed in this season…
…whether it is in the rampant spread of COVID-19 that has stolen the breath of life from more than 100,000 people, disproportionately people of color,
…or hospitals discounting COVID-19 symptoms in African Americans, who are denied testing and proper treatment until it is too late and they take their last breath,
…or a police officer using excessive force, while ignoring George Floyd’s pleas for his life until he could breathe no more,
There are so many names to recount whose lives were lost unjustly.
Breathe on us, Holy Spirit
may the fire of righteous indignation burn in our hearts so that we might be refined, transformed, and renewed by its flame each day.
Breathe on us, Holy Spirit
so that we might be emboldened to interrupt the sinful systems of evil, injustice, and oppression all around us. That we might root it out of ourselves and our laws and our institutions.
Breathe on us, Holy Spirit
so that we might be agents of your shalom.
Come Holy Spirit, Come. Amen.
