Maybe that’s part of the reason many have resorted to other means as response to the insanity of our self-destructive tolerance of racism plaguing our neighborhoods, cities, public schools, places of work, political offices, and sacred spaces.
I have read and watched more than a fair share of reports in regards to the hate crime committed on Wednesday night; a massacre rooted in racism during a Bible Study at one of the more hallowed symbols of the Black Church in America- Emmanuel AME. As I read endless posts, it felt as though the press and novice bloggers merely needed to press CTRL^V on their keyboards after a brief period of waiting for the next hate crime or abuse of power spurred by bigotry.
The madness must end. We are tearing ourselves apart from within while we focus most of our financial and political energies on conflicts beyond. We are not as dreamy and socially progressive of a nation as our propaganda would suppose. We are infected and underdeveloped, moving a few steps backwards with every stride forward. As comic-gone-preacher, Jon Stewart, noted, the road signs and bannered symbols of the south continue to breed bigotry through "racist wallpaper."
We have subliminally created and sustained injustice for generations too long.
We have subliminally created and sustained injustice for generations too long.
So I groan because I am out of tears, motivational cliches, and poignant and prayerful verbiage. To be honest, I often don’t even know what to pray for anymore.
Still, I trust the Spirit to intervene as I hope for a reconciled world still yet to be seen. And I will advocate for that renewed and holistic world until kingdom come.
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:25-26).
I also lean on words the prayers of the faithful going viral, the insights of of prophetic comics who’s monologues take on a homiletical flair, and previous posts I have made that remind me of my call to hold on hope for yet another day.
"Arresting the shooter is the job of law enforcement. Arresting hate is the work we are all called to do as disciples of Jesus Christ."
A Response and Prayer from the Presbytery of Philadelphia: http://presbyphl.org/17794/a-prayer-for-the-emmanuel-ame-church-from-presbytery-of-philadelphia-leadership/
A Prayer for Baltimore: http://gregklimovitz.blogspot.com/2015/04/charm-city-where-is-your-charm-prayer.html