Prayer for Black History Month – Richard Reddie

A prayer for Black History Month from Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

You can read the prayer below or download.

Prayer

Lord God,

Creator of our wonderful world, and its beautiful people.

We thank you for Black History Month and the opportunities to celebrate the myriad contributions that Black Britons have made to this country over the centuries.

May this month be an opportunity for everyone to hear more about those men, women and children whose stories have previously gone unheard.

We consider these stories of struggle, suffering and success, and thank you for giving those brave individuals the courage, strength and faith to both survive and then thrive.

We particularly think of those Black Christians whose faith has helped to transform the spiritual climate of these lands.

And we thank you for the Black churches that are at the heart of our communities, meeting the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of those around them.

We also praise you for the histories that are still being made, and think of the next generation of young people who stand on the shoulders of giants. We ask that their stories will be heard by everyone, and not confined to a particular month.

Finally, may this month be the starting point for an interest and engagement with Black history that will continue over the other 11 months of the year.

This we ask in Jesus’ wonderful name.

Amen.