Give Me a Word…

This prayer was written early Sunday morning as I searched for a word to share with my congregation regarding the events on Saturday in Charlottesville, VA.

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Oh, Lord, as I sit here in the dark of my office reflecting on yet another ugly incident of blatant racism and hatred that has captured the attention of our nation, my heart hurts, for I am grieved over the division that sin and Satan cause among your created ones.

In a few hours I will stand before a group of people who are grieving also, and they will expect me to speak to their grief; so Lord, I pray….

Give me a word.

I am a white male who feels inadequate and unqualified to speak about the black experience in America, but, Lord, help me remember that I speak, first and foremost, as your prophet addressing evil and sin, so Lord, I pray…

Give me a word.

The qualifications to speak out against racism, bigotry, and white supremacy are not found in the color of my skin but in my identity as an ambassador of Christ who has been called to proclaim the message of Jesus in word and deed, so Lord, I pray…

Give me a word.

The gospel of Jesus is good news to all the world because, through Jesus, every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, receives an invitation to be reconciled to God and to enter into his kingdom life, so Lord, I pray…

Give me a word.

Because of mankind’s sinfulness and idolatry, the gospel of Jesus is being distorted to claim that God favors one race over another, and this is the antithesis of the Gospel, so Lord, I pray…

Give me a word.

There are those invoking the name of Christ who are doing things to other people that are not of Christ and are not reflective of the true nature of Christianity, so Lord, I pray…

Give me a word.

My righteous anger burns against those who promote racism, yet I know that I am called to be a peacemaker and a reconciler who prays for my enemies and for those who do not yet follow Jesus faithfully, so Lord, I pray…

Give me a word.

Give me a word to speak today to hurting, anxious, worried, grieving people who long for Jesus to return and set the world right.

Give me a word to speak today that brings comfort.

Give me a word to speak today that calls people to peace.

Give me a word to speak today that promotes Christ-like love.

Give me a word to speak today that challenges Christians to be the faithful presence of Christ to the world around us.

Give me a word.

But not just for today or for the pulpit.

When I encounter someone who is different than me in some way…

Give me a word.

When I hear or see others advocating racism…

Give me a word.

When I need the courage to confront the sin in myself or in others…

Give me a word.

When I need a push to be encouraging and loving toward others…

Give me a word.

When I want to cry over the devastation that sin has wrought in our society…

Give me a word.

When I want to praise you for the beautiful diversity in your creation…

Give me a word.

When my presence needs to be the presence of Christ that brings peace…

Give me a word.

And let that word be love.

Let that word be Jesus.

Amen.