JUNE 6, 2020 |
Prayer by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner | NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute
Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, we praise you for your mighty power acts of power, and excellent greatness. Thank you for giving us leaders of excellent greatness in times past, who gave you first place in their lives and used their talent to better our world. We praise you for raising up Tom Skinner, 77 years ago, from humble beginnings, to become one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, even as we reflect on the many difference-makers in our lives.
With grateful hearts, we are reminded of your amazing grace in Tom Skinner’s own story of transformation from Harlem, New York gang life, to the life of one of the most powerful and passionate global messengers of Jesus’ sacrificial death and redeeming love. Lord, we praise you for empowering him, for over 30 years, to take the message of Christ's love to every continent in the world and to more than 70 different countries. His anointed message spanned every age and cultural group as he spoke to children and young people with the same clarity that he spoke to mature adults. He spoke to white Americans with the same passion and intensity that he spoke to African Americans and Latino Americans.
You alone, Lord God, inspired Tom Skinner to advance the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, where there is no violence, racial bigotry, or poverty. You alone, O Righteous God, raised up this global bridge builder and anointed messenger of reconciliation who dedicated his life breaking down walls dividing age, economic status, race, and religion.
In our plague-filled world today, afflicted by the virus of racial and systemic injustice, help us Lord, to reflect in our lives the lessons of those who profoundly impacted and inspired us. Empower us to seize this fleeting moment with our national conscience heightened by a spiral of police killings of unarmed Black American men and women. Move on our hearts right now that we might redouble our efforts as bridge-builders and agents of God’s love, like the many amazing difference-makers, like Tom Skinner, in our lives.
In the mighty and matchless name of the Lord, God Almighty. Amen.