Dear brothers and sisters of Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston,
I prayed for you this past Sunday. I didn’t call you by name, but I did pray for you.
Every Sunday I pray for every church and gathering of God’s children week in and week out.
This week, this coming Sunday – a day in which we honor the Father – as I prepare to come before my congregation, I will pray for you by name.
Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston
I will pray for the dear city in which you, no doubt actively and powerfully, minister day in and day out.
I will pray for your brothers and sisters, sons and daughters mothers and fathers, left alive in the wake of this terrible tragedy which has claimed so many – while praying.
Perhaps praying for me. Possibly praying for us.
I will pray for the churches of your community and the communities of your county and the counties of your State and the State(s) of our nation.
I will pray for the evil which lurks within the human heart and seeks to strip us of our strength and rob us of our hope.
I will pray for those who are now afraid to gather and pray. I will pray that we might stand together – though apart – and pray for one another. I will pray for you by name.
Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston
I will pray will pray for justice: though I am no longer clear on what justice looks like or how it feels.
I will ask our Lord to help me understand, “What is justice in this matter? And why does she hide? To where has she fled?”
Is justice restoring that which was lost?
Is justice restoring to life that which has been stolen from us?
How is justice birthed from the womb of discord, dis – ease and sin? A sin compelling enough to cause a man to enter a house of worship with the intent to kill those gathered?
To kill those who gather.
I will pray for this blight which rests so heavily upon our land.
This blight of racism from which we seem unable to escape, to which we so quickly retreat. May her safe hedges of seclusion grow thistles and thorns which pry us out – into the world of another.
I will pray . . .
that pundits who wish to porn this event be silenced.
I will pray . . .
that politicians who wish to leverage this event into an up coming political campaign be hushed.
I will pray . . .
that pastors who have been far too silent for far too long speak with a clear head and humble heart.
I will pray . . .
that we might bend our knees and confess our sins before the One who offers life and rebuilds the ruins.
I will pray . . .
that we might exclaim, “enough is enough, Lord. The time is now for your redeemed to stand together.”
I will pray . . .
that we might proclaim – “the time is now that we lock arms, walk hand in hand, brothers and sisters of different language, tongue, color and creed as one family with one hope found in One God.”
Most importantly; I will pray . . .
For me.
I will pray . . .
that I might clearly and finally see the prejudices I hold and the practices which give them power.
I will pray . . .
that I might look with grace toward the community in which I minister and seek paths of reconciliation and redemption rather than erect walls of separation and seclusion.
Brothers and sisters of Emanuel A.M.E Church in Charleston, thank you for praying last night. I cannot believe – even in the midst of this awful tragedy – your prayers went forth in vain!
I will pray for you this week and in the weeks to come. I will pray for you by name.
Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston
I wish we all prayed for each other more often.
Grace and Peace,
Biz
