Call to Prayer - June 8, 2020

Author: The Rev. Elizabeth McCord

Published Date: 6/8/2020

Categories: Social Spiritual Life


In difficult and uncertain times, many of us find courage by leaning into our faith. Each week, I’ll invite any of you who wish to join me in spiritual reflection. I’ll provide a written prayer, but I hope each of you will use the words, rituals or practices most meaningful and authentic for you. Please contact me if you’d like to share specific prayer requests or just check in at chaplain@carrollu.edu. You and your loved ones are in my prayers every day.

This Week's Prayer

Elizabeth McCord
The Rev. Elizabeth McCord

COVID-19 has reminded us how much we need one another, and Mr. George Floyd’s murder has reminded us how we have failed one another. We need both anger and peace, justice and reconciliation, and most of all, we need a whole lot of grace. The prayer below is to help us hold the things we cannot bear on our own, and it invites us to seek healing and hope for the world.
 
Holy One,
There are no words that can fully express
the state of our world, our country, our communities, our lives.
Through our speechlessness, hear our aching hearts and our longing souls.
 
In silence,
we remember George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee,
and your many named and unnamed beloveds who have died
by the sin of racism and the abuse of power.
(a few seconds of silence)
 
In silence,
we consider images of demonstrations, protests, and vigils—
the heartbreak and hopelessness, the anger and pain,
the longing for justice and the kindling of courage.
(a few seconds of silence)
 
In silence,
we hold the wellness of each individual and the health of society—
the universal right to a full and free life, equitable access to systems and opportunities,
the healing of all that has been broken through ignorance, hate, poverty, or oppression.
(a few seconds of silence)
 
In silence,
we seek your reconciling grace and life-mending mercy,
knowing that we will only find wholeness together
through interdependence, understanding and our shared humanity.
(a few seconds of silence)
 
Continue speaking in us, through us, and despite of us—
even when we do not have the words to say—
and direct our paths toward a Commonwealth of Peace
where we will find our voice in songs of joy and justice.

 

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