By the power of your love, Lord,
help our nation overcome
the bias that divides us,
help our nation overcome
the bias that divides us,
the pain that comes of prejudice
the bigotry our mistrust breeds…
the bigotry our mistrust breeds…
Let us not pretend to you love you
while we mistreat and ignore, abandon and neglect
our brothers and our sisters
one family of one Father,
one in Christ our saving brother,
blessed by our diversity,
all yours in our humanity…
In the depths of our hearts, Lord,
help us overcome
our prejudice and bias,
our racism and bigotry,
our narrow-minded thinking
and the ways we rush to judgment
of those we’re called to love…
Help us, Lord, to overcome
our pride and self-importance,
our denial of the truth,
our undeserved privilege
and our careless disregard
for the plight of those who suffer…
And deliver us from thinking
that no such faults are ours,
from foolishly believing
that all now live as equals…
Help us move beyond the status quo
that keeps us from real change;
and free us from inertia’s grip
on what must move ahead…
Help us overcome
what separates, divides and keeps apart,
what keeps us all from being
one nation indivisible
with liberty and justice
for each, Lord, as for all…
Grant us freedom, holy freedom, Lord:
to love one another;
to tear down walls of hate;
to welcome in the stranger;
to let go of our fear;
to discern and speak the truth…
That’s our prayer this Juneteenth, Lord,
help us work ’til we accomplish
what we’ve not yet done ourselves,
what we can’t do on our own,
what we’ll never do without your help,
your blessing, strength and grace…
