Gracious God of mercy and compassion, we come before You this day in sorrow and humility as we come once again to recall our failure to live up to the promise of liberty and justice for all:
You have stated blessed are the mourners yet many of us fail to mourn for the senseless killing of people of color in this country. Help us seek out and acknowledge the reasons for our slow progress in dismantling systemic and institutional racism in this country.
Teach us to face our fears, resistance, pride, shame-whatever conscious or unconscious motives that hold us back from valuing an anti-racist, intercultural society.
Guide our civic and religious decisions to uphold and promote the rights of all persons, especially those experiencing marginalization, racism, bigotry, and prejudice. Because in Your eyes we’re all created equal.
Continue to remind us that diversity is the hallmark of Your creation, the manifestation of Your presence, in myriad sparks of Your divine life on Earth. We ask these things in Your name.—AMEN.