A Prayer for Christians following the killing of Mike Brown and the events in Ferguson

Dear God,


We’ve managed to f--- things up again down here. The clouds of tear gas, the donning of riot gear, the haunting scene of a young man’s body lying dead in a street for four hours…Lord, in your mercy.


Your church is not handling this well. We are proving our utter ineptness at understanding the pain and suffering of others. Insulated within our segregated social circles we are unable to hear the cry of Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.


We refuse to challenge a system that has benefited so many of us because we are scared to imagine what abandoning such a system might do to our own well being, to our children, and to our power both real and imagined.


We are a people living in fear- Fear of bodies both black and brown. Fear of exploring how our own thoughts and feelings have been shaped by a long history of racism and oppression in this country. Fear of admitting that we do not have the situation under control and that in some way, our actions and inactions are part of the problem.


Forgive us as we rush to defend ourselves and explain to others why we have nothing for which to repent. Have mercy on us for being strongly pro-birth but abysmally pro-life. Rescue us from our positions of privilege that have come at the expense of our neighbors’ wellbeing.


Again, like with all of the other messes we have made, we depend on you to fix this as only you can. Comfort the victims and survivors who continually suffer as we struggle to get our shit together. Help us to create a world in which Rachel has no more reason to weep. Build your beloved community in us though it may cost us dearly.


Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.