August 19, 2020 | Prayer by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute
Awesome and Almighty God, your word calls us to “be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,” so we thank you for the precious institution for voting in our American democracy. We praise you for moving our nation to ensure the ballot for women 100 years ago, and for Black Americans 55 years also.
By your power and might, you raised trailblazers like Fannie Lou Hamer and John Lewis, whose life sacrifices helped secure our citizenship right to vote our convictions and values. We thank you, O Creator God, for breathing life into every human and shaping each one in your divine image and likeness. But now O God, your heavenly image is under severe assault by wicked leaders using devious and deceptive schemes to deny the sacred power of the vote for vulnerable voters.
With the deadly COVID-19 plague still draining the life, livelihood, and hope out of your people---too many citizens of color and the poor---we appeal to you, the God of our weary years, and silent tears. We plead with you, O Lord, to sustain us that we do not give up, give in, or give out against the rising tide of racially motivated plots to reverse over five decades of civil and human rights progress in our nation.
Remind us in our weariness that no devil in hell or evil power on earth can withstand your unshakable and immovable power and might. With only a few months before America’s national election, wake us up to prophet Elisha's prayer, “O God open my servant's eyes to see there are more with us than against us." Strengthen us to move past our soundless fears to use every possible means to vote in November whether virtually by mail or safely at the polls for the good of all your people, and for our precious, yet fragile democracy. In your matchless and mighty name, we pray, Lord Jesus, AMEN.