January 9, 2021| Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner
Great and awesome God, clothed in majesty, splendor, and power, we come before you on behalf of our nation’s brokenness. The Palmist posed the question now before your hurting people, “The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3) Lord God, our hearts were broken as we watched in horror white supremacist domestic terrorists violently break into and desecrate the United States Capitol, and kill a Capitol policeman, and cause the death of four others. Our minds are still shaken as lawmakers fled to safety from those seeking to stop the certification of a new President. Still worse, Capitol Hill law enforcement, entrusted with protecting congressional members, are suspected co-conspirators in a massive security breach and attempted coup.
Sadly, O Lord, such a brazen attack on our democracy and on the votes of black and brown citizens that caused the leadership change, was incited by the President. Under his wicked regime, staunchly supported by many white Christians and lawmakers, the sin of racial hatred has been stoked by conspiracy theories and lies about election fraud targeting cities with large black and brown voters, repeatedly rejected by our courts.
Righteous God, a once-proud America, long a global model of constitutional democracy, is now broken and humiliated before the world. But you, O Lord, are in your holy Temple. You still rule from heaven. You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. Cause us, right now, to bow before you in solemn repentance for devaluing the lives of some of your children. Forgive us, Lord, for separating into warring racial and ethnic tribes when you have already reconciled your people at the foot of the cross. Move on us to hate systemic injustice as much as you do and commit to removing it from our land. And, then, O merciful God, knit our hearts to yours so tightly that we are moved to choose love over hate, unity over division, and compassion over indifference so that all your children may thrive and live in peace with one another. In your mighty name, we pray, Lord God. AMEN
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