What a joy it was to gather with some of our partners and friends to celebrate our 10th year of striving to build bridges of understanding across the racial divide! We firmly believe that our Christian faith requires us to respond in paradoxical ways in a social climate that builds walls and creates separation rather than unity.
We opened our day with scripture, prayer, song and this litany drafted for the occasion. It is our prayer that every reader will embrace the spirit reflected in these prayerful words.
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Grace and Race 10th Anniversary Litany
Lord, make known to me your will for my life and help me to do it.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me not be used as a bully or a pawn, but let me be an instrument of equality and peace.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me use the word of God as a lamp and a light unto the world, rather than as a tool to divide us.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me be willing to examine my motives and the secret places of my heart when I encounter people who are different from me.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me intentionally invite people, who don’t look like me, to my house of worship, so we can experience the Holy Spirit together.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me no longer be silent about the ills and pain of racism in conversations with my family and closest friends
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let not only my spoken words, but also my written words reflect a new perspective of God’s love for all humanity
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me commit both time and resources to the amelioration and elimination of racism and discrimination
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me no longer be comfortable living my life “business as usual.” But let me recognize that the “business” needs to change.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Let me continually seek direction from God to transform me into a change agent to build his beloved community until justice runs down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Amen!
Reverend Renee Williams Thomas, Author
