November 3, 2021, | by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner | NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute| barbarawilliams-skinner.com
O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. But we as a nation filled with people called by your name have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you, scorned your commands, and have lost our way.
You commanded us to love you and love our neighbor as ourselves. Instead, we have wallowed in fear, not faith, by intentionally distorting racial justice principles like "critical race theory" to further separate Americans and avoid redressing deep-seated systems of injustice still devastating your children of color. Forgive us, O God, and renew a right spirit in us.
Lord, you created all people in your awe-inspiring image and magnificent likeness. Then, you commanded us to care for "the least of these" our brothers and sisters in greatest need as if we were caring for you. Instead, we readily opened our nation's coffers giving the wealthy generous tax breaks while withholding primary survival care for poor children, struggling families, and the elderly sick. Have mercy on us, O Lord, and restore us to a right relationship with you.
God of truth, you called us to be truth-tellers and said in your word, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). Instead, an alarming number of our leaders have allowed a lying spirit to overtake their hearts, minds, and actions. They publicly advocate dangerous conspiracy theories, spread disinformation, and engage in the complete whitewashing of the truth, now endangering our democracy. Forgive us, O Lord, that our hearts might return to your truth.
Loving God, our healer, restorer, and deliverer, we seek your mercy and forgiveness for the sins of our nation and the people called by your name, that you might withhold your wrath and heal our land. In your mighty name, we pray, Lord God. AMEN.
