Praying for...
...The families and friends of those nine who were the victims of racist terrorism last night. The list of those who have lost a loved one to racism, hate, terrorism and gun violence continues to grow, and so does the chorus of those saying "enough is enough."
...The congregation of Emanuel AME Church, who lost a beloved leader in Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight other vital members of their worship community. That they may be able to mourn in peace as long as they need, and they begin to heal as a faith community.
...The community of Charleston, who lost an important leader in Sen. Pinckney, someone who has been an inspiring voice for justice and peace in a place long lacking in both.
...Shooter Dylan Roof, that the hatred and racism he is feels and is steeped in may begin to be overcome with relentless, overwhelming love.
...The family and friends of Roof, that they be free from harassment and anger directed at them, and instead be treated with the love and understanding they need as they process the actions of their loved one towards others.
...The state of South Carolina, long a place home to racism, injustice, inequality and hate, that the atrocity last night might be seen as the logical outcome of the state's history and the inflammatory rhetoric of their leaders, all coming under the shadow of a symbol of terrorism flying from the State Capitol's flagpole, a sign of institutional racism and hate. May love and justice flow across the entire state.
...The American south, that love and justice may also flow across a region that has long oppressed an entire race of people simply because of the pigmentation of their skin.
...America, that we may recognize the complicity we all have for the atmosphere that allows such acts to happen. May we begin pursuing reconciliation among all people, in contrast to 18 months of concerted disregard for black Americans by vast swathes of our country. arising out of 250 years of racist policy and institutions that have led us to this point. May we realize that the motivating factor here is merely an extreme form of the same attitudes that lead to Trayvon Martin, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Freddie Grey, Martin Luther King Jr, Medgar Evers, Emmitt Till, and many many thousands of others not named here or anywhere. May we realize it's the same attitude that leads us to dismiss the concerns of those marching in Ferguson, in Baltimore, in Oakland and across our country, instead of understanding and working towards solutions. God have mercy on us.
...The gun culture we live in, that it may pass into history books and a new culture of love, respect and trust may replace it. That we may recognize that Jesus spoke the truth when he declared that "those who live by the sword will die by the sword;" that a nation dependent of violent tools to enforce good behavior is one where only bad behavior will happen.
...Our justice system, that true justice may be dispensed; that all those involved in judging Dylan Roof may act out of love, mercy and grace in pursuing a just outcome; that violence may not be done in our name, in the vain hope that killing someone will teach others that killing is bad.
Violence only begets violence.
Healing begins with forgiveness.
With grace.
With mercy.
With love.
Amen.
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