By David C. Johnson, ACPE President
As a son of the deep south birthed into the segregated culture of bathrooms, water fountains and restaurants. Awakened by the marches, speeches and actions of King, Young, and Ali. Disturbed by the passions and pain of my seminary classmates who were part of the "Church of the Black Experience" at Garrett Theological Seminary. Stirred by my ACPE colleagues from REM and the LBGTQ communities. I find my heart breaks that we discover ourselves mourning another shooting in an African-American community. Though it is shocking that this shooting took place in a church. It is no less shocking than anytime one is shot due to racism and the color of his or her skin. This is my prayer.
Holy God,
Our lives have once again been touched by unnecessary violence. Violence that is a product of hate and ill will. Violence that is predicated on the myth of one being less than another. Violence that is based on mistrust. Violence propagated by those who deny their own lack of self-worth. Violence by those who need to control others. Violence that is grounded in the fear of scarcity. Violence that is eating the very soul of our being.
We ask ourselves: When will it stop? Why does it happen? What can we do?
Give us courage. Give us courage to say that it is time to end the violence. Give us courage to say it is time to put away the symbols of hate, the weapons that kill, and the actions that suppress. Give us courage to not only say that we are equal in your sight but to live as if we believe we are all your children who are loved equally. Give us courage to put away our fears of others who are different. Give us the courage to stand for love and not hate even in the face of intimidation.
Amen
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