COMBATTING RACISM
A prayer service to combat racism By Sam McGlothlin and Paula Smith
We raise our hands and we remember Mike Brown who said, “Don’t shoot,” whose innocent cries were unjustly ignored, and we remember all whose bodies are assumed guilty in life and in death.
systems of white supremacy assert power over black bodies with no regard for explanations.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As we remain on the ground, we remember Breonna Taylor who was killed while she was sleeping in her own home, and we grieve that we have been asleep to this injustice in America for so long.
We touch our necks and we remember Eric Garner who said, “I can’t breathe,” and we remember all those who have had the breath of life choked out of them.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We touch our backs and we remember Freddie Gray, whose spine was severed by police brutality, who asked for medical help and received none, and we remember all who have died at the hands of those who are meant to protect.
We stand up and look down at our shoes and we remember Ahmaud Arbery, who was hunted down and killed by white men espousing vigilante justice while jogging in his neighborhood. We remember all who cannot simply walk, run, or live without fear because of the color of their skin.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We hold our hands at the height of a child and we remember Tamir Rice, who as a 12 year old was not allowed to play, and we remember the many unnamed and unarmed children who have died at the hands of adults who refuse to confront their prejudice.
We fall to one knee and remember George Floyd, who was killed in broad daylight, who said “I can’t breathe”, who called for his mama, who pleaded for his life. We remember the horror and terror black men and women have endured at the hands of white people. And now we hold silence for 8 mins to honor his life, not his oppressor.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer. We lay on the ground with our hands behind our backs and remember Sandra Bland who asked 14 times why she was being arrested. We confess that
Rev. Sam McGlothlin is pastor of Belle Meade UMC in Nashville.
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Silence.
God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Rev. Dr. Paula Smith is pastor of Gordon Memorial UMC in Nashville.
