Racial Justice Sunday prayer

Most Merciful God,

We thank you that you are a God of justice who is active in the world,
We praise you that your word has the power to change lives,
We believe that you redeem and restore the victims of injustice
And we recognise that as Christians, we are to embrace the biblical call to do justice.

Lord, your word says that we are all made in your image and loved by you, yet we live in a world in which sadly, injustice is manifested in ways that are harmful and damaging to so many, especially the most marginalised.

As your people, help us to be mindful that racism is contrary to biblical teaching because it denies basic justice and human dignity. What is more, it is sinful because it assumes all are not equal before you and are not part of your family. Help us also to remember that all who fail to challenge racism in church or society are guilty of condoning or colluding with sinful behaviour.

So, by the power of your Holy Spirit, give us, as your people, the courage to stand up for what is just and right,
and against sinful attitudes and behaviours that fail to treat all people with the respect and dignity they deserve, as men and women created in your likeness.

Just as you are the Alpha and Omega, a God of the past, present and future, help us to remember the lessons of the past, and apply them to the present, so that our future will be a world in which justice, equity, peace and love preside.

This we ask in Jesus’ name,

Amen!